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Google Workspace Licensing Changes for Alumni
What is Changing?
Google has changed their Google Workspace for Education Licensing options available to EMU. In the past, Google provided Google Workspace accounts to EMU alumni without cost. The new licensing provides “Gmail Only” licenses for our alumni that no longer include licensing for Google Drive, Google Apps or Google Photos.
After licensing changes are applied, Alumni will only have access to Google Mail with their @emich.edu Google Workspace accounts. Other services such as Google Drive, Google Apps and Google photos will no longer be available.
Who is Affected?
- All EMU alumni who have active EMU Google Workspace accounts (NetID@emich.edu) including Gmail, Drive, Calendar and Google Apps.
- Future graduates will be transitioned to “Gmail Only” licenses no less than 30 days after their graduation date.
- Note: Alumni who are current EMU employees or students actively registered in an EMU course will retain full services until they leave EMU.
When It Will Happen?
The process to apply the new license will BEGIN on July 1, 2026 and will continue over several weeks. Alumni should be prepared for the change on July 1, 2026 but it will take a few weeks before the change is fully applied to all alumni accounts. However, we ask everyone to be prepared on July 1st because process timing may vary based on factors beyond our control.
How do I Prepare?
Alumni with files stored in the EMU Google Drive or Photos stored in the EMU Google Photos App, will want to consider transferring all files from your EMU Google Drive and any Photos from Google Photos. Google provides a tool called Google Takeout to facilitate these types of transfers.
Additionally, if you still rely on any EMU Google Services for apps like Calendar, you will want to transition this data to a different (non-EMU) service such as a personal Google account. Google provides instructions on exporting calendars.
If you do not use these services or do not wish to retain any of the content stored in Google Drive or Google Photos, no action is required. Any remaining Drive or Photos content after June 30, 2026 will be subject to removal as licenses are applied.
How do I transfer Files & Photos?
Google Takeout allows you to download your content from EMU Google Drive and EMU Photos.
- Visit: Google Takeout Help Center
- Select the Services you'd like to export (e.g. Drive, Photos)
- Follow the prompts to download or transfer your content.
How do I export my Google Calendar Events?
If you rely on your EMU Google Calendar, export your events and import them into a personal Google or other calendar acount.