Frequently Asked Questions

Please read below for frequently asked questions regarding Google Workspace's use on campus. You can also review Google Workspace for Education FAQ or contact servicedesk@pugetsound.edu if you cannot find what you're looking for.

How do I learn how to use Google Workspace for Education?

There are many resources in the Google Workspace Learning Center, to help you use Google applications.

How much storage do users get with Google Workspace for Education?

Students receive 10 GB and Faculty/Staff receive 20 GB storage for Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. Please see the Space Allocation Policy for more information.

Will there be advertisements with Google Workspace for Education?

In all educational domains, ads are turned off for Google Workspace for Education services. Google Workspace for Education users don't see ads in Google Search when signed in with their Google Workspace for Education accounts.

What information cannot be added to any Google App?

High Risk Data may not be placed in any Google app. This includes, but is not restricted to:

  • Patient health information
  • Export control information
  • Social Security numbers
  • Financial account numbers
  • Driver's license numbers
  • Health insurance policy ID numbers
  • Credit card numbers

Can Google Workspace for Education be used in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)?

Yes. Google Workspace for Education core services comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Avoid putting FERPA related material, including student identification or grading information, within a shared document or Drive.

Can Google Workspace for Education be used in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) of 1998?

Yes. We contractually require that schools using Google Workspace for Education get the parental consent required by COPPA. Our services can be used in compliance with COPPA as long as a school has parental consent.

Privacy

The G Suite for Education Privacy Notice describes how Google collects and uses information with G Suite for Education accounts. As stated in this Privacy Notice, for G Suite for Education users in Primary/Secondary (K-12) schools, Google does not use any user personal information (or any information associated with a Google Account) to target ads.

The Core Services are provided for educational use under a school’s G Suite for Education Agreement and Data Processing Amendment (if this amendment is accepted by the school).

As detailed on the Additional Services page, most Additional Services are governed by the Google Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and some Additional Services also have service-specific terms. The chart below highlights some differences between Core and Additional Services.

Services G Suite for Education Core Services Additional Services
Terms G Suite for Education Agreement and Data Processing Amendment Google Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and service-specific terms
Data use User personal information collected in the Core Services is used only to provide the Core Services like Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Information from all Additional Services can be used to provide, maintain, protect and improve them, and to develop new ones.
Ads No ads in Core Services, and no Customer Data from Core Services is used for advertising purposes (in either Core or Additional Services). Additional Services may show ads. For G Suite for Education users in Primary/Secondary (K-12) schools, Google does not use any user personal information (or any information associated with a Google Account) to target ads.
Security Core Services are included in G Suite security audits and certifications (ISO 27001, SOC 2 and SOC 3). All Additional Services meet Google’s high standards for information security.
Sharing Limitations Google does not share Customer Data in Core Services with third parties, except in the limited circumstances outlined in our Privacy Policy (such as with consent or when required by law). The G Suite agreement's confidentiality provisions also limit how Customer Data in the Core Services can be shared with third parties. Google does not share personal information with third parties, except in the limited circumstances outlined in our Privacy Policy (such as with consent or when required by law).