Changes to Cornell Google storage

Cornell will no longer be able to offer unlimited Gmail storage to alumni. This is a result of recent changes to Google’s pricing structure: Google no longer offers free unlimited storage to universities.

But don’t worry! You can keep your current Gmail account, and there are steps you can take now to prepare for this change and not lose any of your important data.

Here are the basics:

• Alumni with active Cornell Gmail accounts can keep their current accounts.
• Storage across Gmail, Drive, and Photos will be capped at 5GB for all users.

What we’re asking you to do

Check how much Google storage you’re using now. Go to the Drive Storage section of your Cornell Google account to see your current storage amount. (You’ll need to sign in with your Cornell NetID and password.)

• If you have less than 5GB of data in your Cornell account right now, there’s nothing you need to do!
  • You are under your storage limit. As long as your storage does not climb past the limit for your account, you won’t need to take any further action.
  • But if your usage climbs past your storage cap in the future, you may be locked out of your account.
• If you have more than 5GB in your account right now, we’ve added a cap above your current data level.
  • You’ll need to reduce your storage below 5GB. A 5GB cap will be applied to your account between September 2024 and August 2025, on a rolling basis.
  • You’ll receive direct communications from us with your individual deadline in that window.
  • If you don’t take action to reduce your storage by your deadline, your account will be deleted.
• If your usage climbs above your current cap, you may be locked out of your account.

See tips to help you get started with moving your data or saving it elsewhere. For moving larger storage, we recommend using the tool VaultMe.