Timeline | How to Prepare | Get Support | FAQs |

Microsoft Changes at Mason

Information about the upcoming changes to the Microsoft environment at Mason.

Impact

Microsoft recently announced several changes to their education licenses that will impact license structure, storage capacities, and access to the Office suite at George Mason.

To help prepare for the coming changes, ITS is analyzing the current environment to better understand the impact. Using the data gathered, ITS will develop a plan to adjust to the changes to meet the needs of the university while also being fiscally responsible.

ITS will send communications to impacted audiences ahead of significant events and update this page as new information becomes available.

Microsoft Licenses

The following table shows the main licenses in George Mason’s Microsoft environment that are assigned to individual and service accounts. This is not a complete list of license types or features. Please note that Microsoft may change license naming and the availability of features and applications.

License Type Eligibility Services
A5 Faculty and Classified Staff Email, Calendar, MS 365 Office Suite (web version and desktop apps), MS Teams, additional security features, Power Apps
A5 Student Use Students Email, Calendar, MS 365 Office Suite (web version and desktop apps), MS Teams, additional security features
A1 Non-student Wage, Contractor, Affiliate, Retiree Email, Calendar, MS 365 Office Suite (web version), MS Teams
Exchange Plan Service and Generic Accounts Email, Calendar

What is Changing

Changes to the Microsoft environment are ongoing. As George Mason responds to Microsoft announcements, we will continue to evaluate the impact and adjust accordingly.

Upcoming Changes

  • A1 Plus – The license that provides Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise and enables a subset of users to download the MS Office Suite to a personal device is being retired by Microsoft.

Completed Changes

  • OneDrive storage capacity decreases from 1 TB to 100 GB for specific licenses.
    • This will impact user and service accounts that have an A1 license assigned and do not also have an A5 Faculty or Student Use license assigned.

Timeline

August 2023 Microsoft Announcement
October 2023 Project Kickoff
February 2024 Change: OneDrive Storage capacity decreasing from 1TB to 100GB

Audience: A1 licensed users, who do not also have an A5 license
July 1 - August 1, 2024 Change: A1 Plus license retired by Microsoft

Audience: A1 Plus licensed users who do not also have an A5 license

* Note: MS implements changes on a rolling basis. Updates from Microsoft begin during a particular month, not necessarily on a specific day, and may take over a month to be completed. Changes may be seen by individuals at different times, even for accounts in the same environment.

How to Prepare

A1 License M365 Apps for Enterprise Changes

Once the A1 Plus license is retired, users will maintain access and the ability to edit files on personal devices via the web version of the Microsoft applications. You will still have access to Microsoft OneDrive.

OneDrive Storage Limit Changes

For the OneDrive 100GB limit changes, it is important to remember that this only impacts accounts with A1 licenses where an A5 license is not also assigned. Of those who will have this limit applied, only .5% are nearing or exceeding 100GB. Most users are well under the limit. Users who are nearing or will exceed 100GB and will be affected by the changes to the A1 licenses will be notified directly.

It is recommended to do the following:

  1. Using the instructions above, determine if you are impacted by the new limit by checking your license subscription.
  2. Check your storage usage in OneDrive
  3. Familiarize yourself with policies related to data storage and management
  4. Clean up data
    • Empty your OneDrive Recycle bin
    • Delete duplicates or files that are no longer needed and aren’t bound by retention guidelines.

Once the new limit is enforced, Microsoft will notify accounts nearing storage limits once they have reached 90% of the quota. If storage quotas are met, you won’t be able to upload, edit, or sync new files to your OneDrive. Your existing files will remain but will be read-only until the storage is below quota.

Get Support

If you require assistance or have questions, contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or support@gmu.edu.

FAQs

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Why are these changes happening?
Microsoft recently announced changes to their education licenses and storage offerings in Microsoft 365. Microsoft cited creating more sustainable, secure, and environmentally friendly services that enable them to remain accessible. Similar changes are happening with other vendors such as Google. In response to the changes Microsoft is implementing, Mason will be evaluating how storage is managed in our Microsoft 365 environment to ensure users have secure access to tools needed for university business, in a manner that is also fiscally responsible and sustainable. Updates will be provided on this page as they become available. Targeted communication will be sent as needed.

How will these changes affect me?
As of December 2023: The upcoming changes beginning in February impact only individual and service accounts who have an A1 license and do not also have an A5 license. Impacted users will be limited to 100GB of storage in OneDrive.

How can I check what MS 365 license I have?
Check your license type by logging into your email, navigate to your profile icon, click “View account,” then click “Subscriptions” and “View Subscriptions.”

How can I check my storage totals?
To check your storage usage in OneDrive, see How to Check Your Storage Usage in OneDrive.

What about generic/service email accounts?
Previously, generic or service accounts were typically assigned A1 licenses. Current practice is to assign generic or service accounts an Exchange Plan license. It is important to check your service account to determine what type of license is assigned and how it may be impacted.

What if I have different roles at Mason?
If you have multiple roles at Mason, and one of those roles affords you access to an A5 license, then that license supersedes the A1 license for as long as you remain “active” in that role.

Can I request more storage?
Storage cannot be adjusted on an individual level.

Why am I unable to download MS Office Suite to my personal device?
Currently, access to M365 Apps for Enterprise is only available to active faculty, students, and classified staff. Microsoft is retiring the license that previously allowed for Non-Student Wage earners, Retirees, or Emeriti to download the Microsoft Office suite.

Because the license will be retired soon, new licenses are no longer being issued. If you are unable to download the applications, it may be because your eligibility does not include this service. If you think this is an error, please reach out to your supervisor.

You can still access and edit files on personal devices via the web version of the Microsoft applications. If you are a Non-Student Wage you can consult your department regarding a Mason-managed device.

Last modified: September 16, 2024