Managing your @u.northwestern.edu (or other Google G Suite) account after graduation

Former students can continue to use their existing @u.northwestern.edu accounts after leaving the University. However, there are a few things to be aware of before NetID expiration. This article is applicable to G Suite accounts, including @u.northwestern.edu, @nlaw.northwestern.edu, @alum.northwestern.edu, @kelloggalumni.northwestern.edu, and @fsm.northwestern.edu accounts.

You can:
  • Continue using your existing @u.northwestern.edu or @nlaw.northwestern.edu account as is.
  • Delete the account and replace it with an @alum.northwestern.edu or @kelloggalumni.northwestern.edu account. 
  • Delete the account and not use a Northwestern account at all.

Managing your Google Drive and Photos 

After graduation you will lose access to Northwestern University Google Workspace Drive and Photos. In preparation for this change in access, please move your content from the NU Google Workspace into your own separate personal account or local computer. Navigate to Google Takeout, make sure Drive and Google Photos are selected, and export the files using one of Google’s recommended methods. Alternatively, you can transfer data from your Google Drive to another Google Drive using this link and following the instructions: https://takeout.google.com/transfer. 

How do I transfer my files from Google Drive and Photos? 

Here are the steps to transfer your Google Drive and Google Photos from one Google account to another using Google Takeout:
Note: Open a private/incognito browser then log into your @u.northwestern.edu account before attempting to access the Takeout tool. You will not be able to access the Takeout tool through a private Gmail account. 

Google Takeout Directions:

  1. Go to Google Takeout: Visit Google Takeout.
  2. Select Data to Include: Click “Deselect all” and then scroll down to check “Drive”.
  3. Choose Export Settings: Click “Next step”.
  4. Select Delivery Method: Choose how you want to receive your data (e.g., via email link, add to Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or Box).
  5. Create Export: Click “Create export”. This may take some time depending on the amount of data.
  6. Download Data: Once the export is ready, download the file from the link provided.
  7. Upload to New Account: Log in to your new Google account and upload the downloaded files to Google Drive.

For Google Photos:

  1. Go to Google Takeout: Visit Google Takeout.
  2. Select Data to Include: Click “Deselect all” and then scroll down to check “Google Photos”.
  3. Choose Export Settings: Click “Next step”.
  4. Select Delivery Method: Choose how you want to receive your data (e.g., via email link, add to Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or Box).
  5. Create Export: Click “Create export”. This may take some time depending on the amount of data.
  6. Download Data: Once the export is ready, download the file from the link provided.
  7. Upload to New Account: Log in to your new Google account and upload the downloaded files to Google Photos.

These steps should help you transfer your data smoothly. If you have any questions or run into issues, feel free to ask!
You can also download all the files in your drive to an external media drive. Go to your browser settings to change your file download location to an external media drive, select all your files in your drive, and select “download.”

Accessing your account

To access your G Suite email account, you can log in with your username and your G Suite account password at http://www.gmail.com. Your username is your full email address (e.g. WillieWildcat2020@u.northwestern.edu), not an account nickname.
Your password was set when you first activated your account. If you have forgotten this password, you can reset it using your account management page.
Contact the NUIT Support Center or call 847-491-4357 (1-HELP) with other account questions before NetID expiration.

Transitioning Organizational G Suite Accounts 

If you are the owner of an @u.northwestern.edu organizational account for a student group, you can transfer account ownership before leaving the University by emailing servicedesk@northwestern.edu. 
After ownership has been transferred, make sure that the new account owner changes the organization account password by visiting the @u Organizational Account Password Reset page.

Activate an alumni email account

After graduation, you can continue to use your existing G Suite account, or you can choose to delete your existing account and create an @alum.northwestern.edu or @kelloggalumni.northwestern.edu account. 
Note: In order to create an alumni email account, you will first need to delete your existing account.
  1. Use these instructions to download your existing account content.
  2. Delete your existing G Suite account at the Alumni Account Management page.
  3. Create your new @alum.northwestern.edu or @kellogg.northwestern.edu account by refreshing or re-visiting the Alumni Account Activation page.

Returning to Northwestern after graduation

If you return to Northwestern as a student, you can continue to use your former G Suite account for academic activities, provided that your new academic program participates in the G Suite service. (The Kellogg School of Management and Feinberg School of Medicine do not use the G Suite service.)
If you return to Northwestern as a faculty or staff member, you cannot use your student G Suite account for educational or business purposes. You will need to use your new faculty/staff email address instead.

After NetID expiration, whom do I contact for support?

After your NetID expires, you can continue to manage your G Suite account using the Alumni Account Management page. For alumni account support or questions, contact alumni-admin@u.northwestern.edu.
 
For questions and support before your NetID deactivates, contact the Northwestern IT Support Center at 847-491-4357 (1-HELP) or servicedesk@northwestern.edu. 
 
For general assistance and 24/7 troubleshooting issues for your G Suite account, visit the Google Apps Help Center.

 

 

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