Overview
Texas A&M University offers several options for file storage and collaboration needs.
- Individual-Owned Files: Ownership of files is tied to your individual account. All files are deleted when you leave the university, including files that you’ve shared with others.
- Team-Owned Files: Ownership of files is tied to a team. Files will remain available even when the creator/owner leaves the team or university.
Google Workspace for Education and Microsoft 365 both have options for individual file storage and shared file storage for teams and collaboration.
- Google Workspace for Education:
- Google My Drive (files owned by you)
- Google Shared Drives (files owned by team)
- Microsoft 365:
- Microsoft OneDrive (files owned by you)
- Microsoft SharePoint (files owned by team)
Information
The table below can help you decide which file storage and collaboration option may work best.
See more information about file storage systems provided by Texas A&M.
| |
Google My Drive |
Google Shared Drives |
Microsoft OneDrive |
Microsoft SharePoint |
| Eligibility |
Students and Employees |
Students and Employees |
Students and Employees |
Students and Employees |
| Capacity |
Faculty and graduate students: 100 GB
Staff and undergraduate students: 25 GB
|
50 TB |
5 TB |
25 TB |
| File Ownership |
Tied to Individual |
Tied to Team |
Tied to Individual |
Tied to Team |
| FERPA Compliant |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Cost |
No Cost |
No Cost |
No Cost |
No Cost |
| Data Retention |
Students: Files deleted 2 years after leaving university.
Employees: Files deleted 30 days after leaving the university. |
Files only deleted upon request. |
Students: Files deleted 2 years after leaving university.
Employees: Files deleted 30 days after leaving the university. |
Files only deleted upon request. |
| Learn More |
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File Storage Examples
When to use Individual-Owned file platforms (Google My Drive, Microsoft OneDrive):
- You are working on a course project with classmates and your work will be over at the end of the semester.
- You are outlining personal goals for your annual review.
When to use Team-Owned tile platforms (Google Shared Drive, Microsoft SharePoint):
- You are working on a project and your professor may need access to your data after you graduate.
- You have a file many people need to access often such as budget information, templates, onboarding documents, meeting agendas, etc.
If you need to store research data, are working with large data sets or need to archive back-up files, other services may be a better fit. Reach out to helpdesk@tamu.edu to find the best solution for your needs.
Other File Storage Services