Google Workspace, locally called Google Apps @ Illinois, is now approved for use with FERPA-protected data when accessed with a university account. FERPA is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which protects the privacy of student education records. This gives faculty and staff another university-supported environment for collaboration, teaching, and learning, and creates more opportunities to use familiar Google tools with student information.
The approval includes the following Google tools:
- Gemini
- Drive
- Docs
- Sheets
- Slides
- Forms
- Sites
- NotebookLM
- Classroom
Google Gemini is an AI application available at no cost to all Illinois faculty, staff, and students. Gemini offers another option for exploring how AI can support their work, from developing ideas and drafting materials to organizing information.
Google Workspace enables the campus community to collaborate and create while keeping student data protected. Gmail is not included in the approval.