Important Update: Deadline Extended for Secondary Calendar Lifecycle Changes

To improve data governance and ensure a predictable lifecycle for digital assets, Google is updating how secondary calendars (such as group or departmental calendars) are managed.

Based on recent updates from Google, the previously announced deadline has been postponed. The new enforcement date for the secondary calendar cleanup process is October 5, 2026.

Why This Matters to You

Under the new model, every secondary calendar has a single, dedicated owner. This means a calendar’s existence is now tied directly to that owner’s account lifecycle. It is critical to understand the following:

Automatic Deletion: If a calendar owner’s account is deleted, all secondary calendars they own will be permanently deleted.
No Post-Deletion Transfers: Once an account has been deleted, the calendars it owned cannot be recovered or transferred by administrators.
Ownership Requirements: Any shared calendar that does not have an @nd.edu owner or a manager ("Change Events or Manage Sharing") is at risk of deletion.

Action Required & Instructions

While the deadline has shifted to October 2026, all faculty, staff, and students should continue to follow the instructions provided in our previous communication to manage their calendar lists:

Identify and Transfer Ownership: For active calendars that you own but should be managed by someone else (e.g., if you are changing roles or leaving the university), follow the step-by-step instructions to verify ownership and transfer it to a colleague.
Delete Inactive Calendars: If you identify calendars that are no longer active or necessary for university operations, please delete them.
Request Assistance: If you identify an active, essential calendar that does not have an owner/manager or whose ownership cannot be transferred through the standard user settings, please contact the OIT Service Desk for assistance.

Note

Google Resource Calendars for rooms and equipment are not secondary calendars and are not impacted by this change. Google Resource Calendars typically begin with the building name (e.g., Joyce-2-Conference Room).