This FAQ answers common questions about the student email migration from Gmail to Microsoft Outlook happening on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
In this article
General Questions
When is the migration happening?
Thursday, July 16, 2026. Gmail access ends at midnight Wednesday night (July 15 → July 16). Outlook goes live Thursday morning.
Will my email address change?
No. Your email address stays first.last@mail.northcentral.edu - only the platform behind it changes from Gmail to Outlook.
Why are we switching from Gmail to Outlook?
We're moving to a unified platform across campus. Faculty and staff already use Microsoft 365, and this brings students onto the same system for better collaboration, integration, and professional tool experience.
Do I have to do anything before July 16?
Not really. We're migrating your email and Google Drive files automatically. Optionally, you can:
- Export your Google Calendar as a backup (recommended)
- Export your contacts to import later
- Clean up your Drive files
But these are all optional.
Email Migration
Will I lose any of my emails?
No. Every email in your Gmail will be migrated to Outlook before go-live. We're copying everything - nothing will be lost.
When does the email migration happen?
The weekend before go-live (July 11-12), we'll copy all your email from Gmail to your new Outlook mailbox. Gmail continues to work until midnight July 15.
What about my Gmail folders and labels?
Gmail labels become Outlook folders. All your organization will be preserved.
What about my Gmail filters?
Gmail filters don't migrate automatically. You'll need to recreate them as Outlook rules after migration. Guide: "Setting Up Email Rules in Outlook"
What about my email signature?
Your Gmail signature doesn't transfer. You'll need to create a new signature in Outlook. Guide: "Creating Your Email Signature in Outlook"
Can I still use Gmail after July 16?
No. At midnight on July 16, Gmail stops working for @mail.northcentral.edu addresses. You must use Outlook.
Google Drive & Files
What about my Google Drive files?
Your Google Drive files will be migrated to OneDrive automatically starting July 16. This takes 24-48 hours.
Do I need to backup my Drive files?
No - we're migrating everything automatically. However, you can clean up files you don't need before migration if you want.
Will I lose access to my Drive files during migration?
You can still access files through Google Drive during the 24-48 hour migration window. They'll appear in OneDrive gradually.
Where will my Drive files be in OneDrive?
All your files will be in OneDrive at onedrive.com. The folder structure will be preserved.
How much storage do I get in OneDrive?
1TB of storage per student.
What about files that a classmate or professor shared with me?
Students need to know that files shared with them will not appear in their OneDrive; they will need to be re-shared by the owner from their own new OneDrive account after the migration.
What happens to my Google Photos, YouTube, or other Google services?
Access to all Google services tied to your university account will end on July 16. This includes Google Photos, Google Keep, and YouTube. Because only email and Drive files are being migrated to Microsoft 365, any personal data in these other services will be lost. If you have data in these services you wish to keep, please use Google Takeout to download a backup before the July 15 deadline.
Calendar & Contacts
What about my Google Calendar?
Calendar migration is uncertain, so we recommend exporting your Google Calendar as a backup before July 16. Guide: "Exporting Your Google Calendar"
What about my contacts?
You'll need to export contacts from Google and import them into Outlook. Guide: "Exporting Google Contacts to Import into Outlook"
Access & Setup
How do I access Outlook?
After July 16:
You can also access through Skyline (NCU portal) or download the Outlook apps.
Can I test Outlook before July 16?
You can explore Microsoft 365 apps you already have access to (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), but you can't access outlook.office.com until July 16 when your mailbox goes live.
What about my phone?
After July 16, you'll need to:
- Remove Gmail from your phone's mail app
- Download the Outlook mobile app
- Add your @mail.northcentral.edu account
Guides: "Setting Up Outlook on iPhone/iPad" and "Setting Up Outlook on Android Phones"
What about my computer?
You can use outlook.office.com in any web browser, or download the Outlook desktop app (free for NCU students).
Guides: "Setting Up Outlook Desktop App on Windows" and "Setting Up Outlook Desktop App on Mac"
Will Outlook work on my Chromebook?
Yes - use outlook.office.com in your web browser.
Can I access my email from off-campus?
Yes - Outlook works from anywhere with internet access.
Migration Day
Will there be downtime?
No. Gmail stops at midnight, Outlook starts immediately. You can send and receive email throughout the transition.
What if I'm not on campus July 16?
The migration happens automatically. As long as you have internet access, you can access your new Outlook mailbox from anywhere.
What happens if I send an email to someone right at midnight?
The transition is seamless. Email sent to your @mail.northcentral.edu address will route to Outlook starting at midnight.
What if my mailbox looks empty on July 16?
It shouldn't - we migrated your email the weekend before. If you don't see your emails, use the search function or check the Archive folder. If you still can't find them, contact IT Service Desk.
Student Employees
I have a student employee account - is that changing?
No. If you have a student employee account (formatted like jdsmith@northcentral.edu), that account is already on Microsoft 365 and is NOT changing. Only your student email (first.last@mail.northcentral.edu) is migrating.
Will I have two Outlook mailboxes?
Yes - you'll have separate mailboxes for your student account and your employee account. You can switch between them in Outlook. Guide: "Managing Multiple Email Accounts (Student Employees)"
Can I still use "Sign in with Google" for other websites and apps using my NCU account?
No. Starting July 16, all attempts to sign into services using your university Google identity will be blocked. If you currently use your @mail.northcentral.edu address to log into third-party sites like Canva, Spotify, or Quizlet via the "Sign in with Google" button, you must change your login method on those sites before July 16. We recommend switching those accounts to a personal email or a standard username and password to avoid losing access.
Imanage an email account for a club or student organization; what happens to that data?
All student organization and club data is moving to the Microsoft 365 platform. After July 16, club email will be accessed through Outlook, and all shared files, chat, and collaboration will move to Microsoft Teams. Club leaders will receive updated guidance on how to access their specific Teams environment and shared mailboxes as we get closer to the transition date.
Getting Help
Where can I find setup guides?
All guides are at it.northcentral.edu
What if I need help on July 16?
IT Service Desk will have extended hours:
- Phone: 612.343.4170
- Walk-in: Miller Hall, 2nd Floor
- Online: it.northcentral.edu
What if I'm still having problems after July 16?
Contact IT Service Desk at 612.343.4170 or visit Miller Hall, 2nd Floor.