Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening?
Howard University is transitioning students from Google Gmail and Google Drive to Microsoft Outlook and OneDrive, respectively! As a Howard University student, you will now be using Outlook for email and OneDrive for file storage. Current emails and files will be migrated from Gmail and Google Drive to Outlook and OneDrive, respectively. Students participating in Summer Session I and II will have their accounts migrated starting Wednesday, May 1st, through Tuesday, May 22nd. For all other students, accounts will begin to be migrated on Saturday, June 1st, through Friday, August 30th. Students will be migrated alphabetically by last name in batches, meaning that some students will have access before others do.
Why is this change taking place?
The transition to Microsoft 365 includes numerous benefits such as substantial mailbox storage capacity, allowing for better organization and management of emails, advanced security measures, to protect your account and safeguard sensitive information, a comprehensive suite of productivity tools to streamline your workflow and enhance collaboration, and seamless integration with other Microsoft applications, ensuring a smooth and efficient user experience.
Will I still use my bison.edu email to sign-in?
Yes, your email address will stay the same!
Will I need to change my password?
No, this change does not require a password reset!
How will I know when my emails and files are being migrated? How will I know when I have my access?
You will receive two separate notices from ETS via email, one for migration initiation and one for migration completion.
Where will I find my files that I previously stored in Google Drive?
Within OneDrive, there will be a folder titled “GDriveMigration.” All files previously stored in Google Drive will be located in this folder. The steps to locate this folder are listed below:
Step 1: Go to top-left corner and click the waffle icon.
Step 2: Scroll and select OneDrive.
Step 3: Scroll and click “My files”. Under “My files”, there is a folder titled “G-Drive” that will contain all of your previous Google Drive documents.
What if my emails and files get lost or deleted?
ETS is conducting a thorough testing process with numerous students to ensure that all emails and files will be successfully and securely migrated. Students in need of assistance should contact the helpdesk via huhelpdesk@howard.edu or 202-806-2020.
Aren’t we already using Microsoft Office 365 at Howard University?
As a student you have had access to numerous Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. However, you have not had access to Outlook for email. Soon you will!
Where will I access Outlook and OneDrive? Is there a link?
There will be numerous ways to access Outlook and OneDrive, including the Microsoft 365 Portal, desktop and smartphone apps, and AccessHU. However, Howard University strongly recommends that you use AccessHU to access Outlook and OneDrive.
Will I still have access to Gmail and Google Drive?
Once your account has been completely migrated, you will have 3 days to confirm that all emails, contacts, calendars, and files have been fully migrated. After this 3-day period, access to Gmail will be revoked, and you will no longer be able to access Gmail.
What will happen if I try to access Gmail after my access has been revoked?
You will receive the following error message:
"Your sign-in settings don't match the organization's 2-step Verification policy. Contact an admin for more info"
I have work in Google Docs and Google Sheets. Will that be migrated over too?
Emails, contacts, and calendars within Gmail and files within Google Drive will be migrated. If work from applications like Google Docs and Google Sheets is stored in Google Drive, then it will be migrated over.
My files in Google Drive is organized based on the classes that I am taking. Will I have to reorganize in Outlook?
No, your file organization will remain consistent after the migration.
Where can I get additional information regarding this change?
The ETS website will be updated with announcements, upcoming events, information about the Change Agent Network, and more!
How can I support this change?
If you would like to join the Microsoft 365 Change Agent Network, or if you would like to nominate someone to join the Change Agent Network, please complete this short MS Form.
What will happen to any shared links that I shared and stored in Google?
Disruption of access to shared links is expected due to users having access to Gmail and Outlook at different times. Only documents owned by the student being migrated will be transferred to OneDrive. Documents that were shared with them will not migrate over. Students will either have to wait for the student who shared the document to also be migrated to Microsoft 365 or download a copy of the document and upload it to OneDrive themselves. Alternatively, students can use OneDrive to share documents between themselves.
Will I still have access to Gmail and Google Drive?
Once your account has been completely migrated, you will no longer be able to access Gmail and Google Drive.