Google Workspace for Western

Owned by Sean Stockburger (Unlicensed)
Last updated: Oct 04, 2022 by Aspen Clark
3 min read

Western ran into a user capacity limitation in Google Workspace (formerly G Suite; currently a free service from Google) and halted automatic provisioning of licenses so that we would be able to give licenses to those who needed them without issue. If you cannot access your account, please contact the Help Desk.

Google Workspace accounts are optional tools offered in addition to Office 365, enabling access to Google Drive, Docs, and other applications. Your Google Workspace account does not replace Outlook email, contacts, calendaring or OneDrive, but instead provides additional tools that may be helpful for personal productivity and instruction. Please note that while ATUS will make our best effort to provide support, we have no enterprise support agreement with Google. 

Many students, faculty and staff are already using a consumer version of the G Suite in support of Western activities. If you have an account tied to your @wwu.edu address, you will go through a process of renaming that consumer account when we enable the Google Workspace.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What core applications are currently available?

  • Google Drive syncs your Google Docs with your computer. You can use it to store and share most types of files easily with others, including files over 25MB.
  • Google Docs helps you share files and let others to view, comment, or edit in real-time collaboration. Docs includes applications for developing word-processed documents, spreadsheets, slide presentations, survey forms, and more.
  • Keep: Create, share, and manage notes and to-dos
  • Sites: Create, share and publish websites
  • Google Groups: Create mailing lists and discussion groups
  • Google Photos: Store, edit, and share photos online
  • YouTube: Upload, view, and share videos

Who will have access to Google Workspace?

All WWU students, faculty, and staff who had accessed their Google Workspace accounts prior to February 2022 have access. If you believe you had access before this date but can no longer login, contact the Help Desk. Western ran into a user capacity limitation in Google Workspace and some unused accounts were deactivated. We also halted automatic provisioning of licenses so that we would be able to give licenses to those who needed them without issue.

When did Google Workspace become available?

Google Workspace accounts for students, faculty and staff were created between December 14th and December 17th, 2016.

I already have a personal Google account that I sign-into using my username@wwu.edu address. What happens to my personal account?

Google logins using username@wwu.edu will now redirect from Google to Western's Microsoft sign-in portal for Office 365. One of the features of our agreement with Microsoft allows you to sign into services like Google using your existing WWU username and password. If you previously had a personal Google account using your username@wwu.edu address, you will be prompted to assign a new email address to that account.You will be given the option to assign a non-@wwu.edu email address or to create a new personal Gmail address. We have documented this easy process so you know what to expect. 

I have a personal Google account that I sign-into using my firstname.lastname@wwu.edu address. What happens to this account?

Google logins using the firstname.lastname@wwu.edu address will not change from being a personal account. These accounts will remain separate personal accounts with a limited and separate storage drive. If you decide to keep this separate account, you may wish to use both by Switching between multiple Google accounts.

What about Gmail, Contacts, or Calendar?

Office 365 will continue to be the primary portal to WWU email, contacts, and calendaring. There are no plans to include Gmail, Contacts, or Calendar.

Can my department request a shared Google Workspace account?

Google Workspace apps are offered as an option for faculty, staff, and students to use as individuals. If your group would like a virtual space for collaboration, create an Office 365 Group or an external Google Group.

I have multiple Google accounts. How do I switch between them?

Please see "Switching between multiple Google accounts."

What is Google Workspace's Accessibility?

Western Washington University is committed to providing help information and assistance with campus services for all users, including those with accessibility concerns. Google Workspace accessibility considerations, information for content creators, information for content consumers, alternatives/workarounds, and more can be found on the Google Apps Accessibility page.

How much does it cost?

There is no direct cost for Google Workspace access for WWU students, faculty, and staff.

Who do I contact for support?

Contact the ATUS Help Desk for questions regarding Google Workspace applications:

In addition, if you have questions regarding how to use Google Apps please refer to the Helpful Links below

Helpful links