Google storage cap causes access, assignment issues for UAF students

STAFF REPORT

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Some University of Alaska Fairbanks students are having trouble accessing coursework and uploading assignments after new Google storage limits took effect Thursday.

UAF students are limited to 5 gigabytes of total Google storage, which includes Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Sheets and other Google Workspace services.

According to Nanook Technology Services, students who exceed the limit are receiving notifications in their email and Google Drive telling them to reduce their storage footprint.

The University of Alaska has been preparing for the storage limits since early 2025, after Google ended unlimited free storage for higher education institutions, according to NTS. The university said its information technology teams have since worked to reduce the university’s digital storage use and establish new storage policies.

NTS said the majority of students are under the 5 GB limit. The university also said it communicated the upcoming changes to students multiple times in an effort to give them time to reduce their storage use.

The 5 GB limit applies to current and future UAF students.

Students experiencing problems with their accounts can contact the NTS Help Desk at helpdesk@alaska.edu or through the university’s online support options.

Students who believe they need an exception to the storage limit can submit a storage support request through the University of Alaska service portal.