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OIT Home > Google > Frequently Asked Questions

Google Apps at Notre Dame Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions about or need help with Notre Dame Gmail? Check the ND Gmail FAQ!

General

Other Collaboration Services/Google Calendar/Mobile Access

General

How do I activate my Google Apps at ND account?

 Incoming students can go to the ND Account Activation Page and follow the directions there to obtain your NetID and password which will allow you to log in to all ND services and Google Apps at ND. The process for upperclassmen to activate their Google Apps at ND account is still being finalized. OIT will communicate with you when this is made available.

Will Google Apps at Notre Dame be the only email solution offered to students?

Yes. Students will be allowed to migrated themselves to the Google Apps solution over the fall semester, and after that, all student email will be on Google.

How do I log in to my Google Apps at ND account?

Go to the gstart.nd.edu  main page to access your account and login with your NetID and Password.

I'm graduating, can I use Google Apps?

We will post details about alumni use of Google Apps soon.

What services are included with my Google Apps at ND account?

Your Google Apps at ND account includes e-mail, IM/Google Talk, calendaring, and document, spreadsheet, and presentation applications. Other services may be added in the future as they are available and appropriate.

Are there limitations on file sizes within the Google Apps at ND services?

  • Documents: The maximum permitted size is 500 Kb plus up to 2 MB per embedded image. Additionally, your account has a limit of 5000 documents and 5000 images.
  • Presentations: The maximum permitted size is 10 MB with a limit of 5000 documents and 5000 images.
  • Spreadsheets: Each spreadsheet can be up to 10,000 rows, or up to 256 columns, or up to 50,000 cells, or up to 20 sheets -- whichever limit is reached first. Imported spreadsheets cannot exceed 1 MB. Your account is limited to 200 spreadsheets.

What are the limitations on file sizes for my Google email account?

You can send and receive mail messages up to 20 MB in size, including attachments.

What if I already have a personal Google/Gmail account?

Your Notre Dame Google Apps account is totally separate from your personal Google/Gmail account, so nothing will change about your personal Google account. You will not be able to integrate these two accounts at this time.

Can I log on to other Google-sponsored services with my Google Apps at ND username and password (e.g. gmail.com, blogger.com, etc.)?

Your Google Apps at ND username (your NetID) and password will only work with the services that have been deployed within the Notre Dame domain. To access other Google services, you will need to apply for a “non University” account through Google.

When will Google add new features to Google Apps?/Why didn't anyone tell me Google was going to change something?

Google updates their applications on a regular basis and does so without notification, so OIT is not able to let you know beforehand. All applications should be considered Google's property and any feature requests should be directed to Google and not the OIT.

Why are the Google Apps at ND services for enrolled students slightly different from similar services that are publicly provided by Google?

Google Apps at ND accounts have been customized for optimal educational collaboration. As an enrolled student, you will not see advertisements and Notre Dame branding will appear at the top of most Google Apps at ND pages. In addition, The University of Notre Dame has taken steps to ensure that your student data is protected above and beyond a publicly available account.

Am I required to use my @nd.edu account?

Utilizing your @nd.edu account guarantees that users will receive notices and messages from the University. It is up to the individual user to decide whether or not they would like to utilize the @nd.edu  account or forward mail sent to the @nd.edu account to an outside account at their own risk.The student handbook states that ND email is an official communication mechanism, and all students are required to use their ND mail per the Student Handbook.  

Are Google Apps at ND accounts accessible for students with disabilities?

The e-mail service, Gmail, is available using HTML. The best way for students with disabilities to access Google Apps for Education tools (e.g. POP/SMTP, XMPP, iCal, and APIs) is to use feature rich applications, such as MS Outlook, as most of the Google Apps at ND services are not natively accessible.

I'm a faculty/staff member, can I use Google Apps?

Faculty and staff will not receive accounts in Google Apps until further discussions with University officials can determine whether it is appropriate to outsource employee and faculty email services. Regardless of the outcome of those discussions, OIT will offer improved email services to faculty and staff within the next year.

Where will the email servers be located?

Currently, the existing Notre Dame email servers are housed on-campus. Servers for Google Apps at Notre Dame are housed in Google's data centers.

 

Other Collaboration Services/Google Calendar/Mobile Access

Can I upload and download PDF files using Docs and Spreadsheets?

Yes. To upload, open the PDF file with Adobe Acrobat and create a new version of the file using Save As with the HTML option (Adobe Reader does not offer this option). The Upload function in Docs and Spreadsheets will allow you to upload the HTML version of your file.

After the HTML file has been uploaded to Docs and Spreadsheets, any user is then able to download the file and convert it back to the original PDF format. To download, open the file and select the Export as PDF option under "File" on the menu at the top of the page.

Can I synchronize my Google Apps at ND calendar with my BlackBerry?

You can already access your calendar from your phone's Internet browser, but if you use a BlackBerry, you have an additional synchronization option.  Download and install the Google Sync for Mobile application from your BlackBerry browser so that changes to your calendar appointments will be automatically reflected on your BlackBerry. This application is free from Google, but carrier charges may apply.

Which mobile devices support access to Google Apps at ND?

You can access your Google Apps at ND services using the following handheld mobile devices:

  • Palm devices with Palm OS 5.4 and above
  • Windows Mobile devices with Windows Mobile 5.0 and above
  • Color BlackBerry devices
  • Symbian Series 60 devices 3rd edition and above
  • Apple iPhones

What addresses do I use on a mobile device to access Google Apps at ND services?

To read and reply to e-mail messages, view calendar appointments and browse your documents from a handheld mobile device, use the following addresses (URLs). Bookmark these addresses so that you can easily navigate between Google Apps at ND services with a single login:

SERVICE

ADDRESS

E-mail:

gmail.nd.edu/m

Calendar:

gcalendar.nd.edu/m

Documents:

gdocs.nd.edu/m

Where can I find additional information about setting up my mobile device to access Google Mail at ND?

Additional information on setting up and troubleshooting Google Mail at ND on a mobile device can be found on Google's Help Center. Refer to the information found under the heading "Access Choices"

 
 

Office of Information Technologies - University of Notre Dame
P.O. Box 539, Notre Dame, IN 46556    Phone: 574-631-5600   Email: oit@nd.edu