UW-Madison Google Workspace - Benefits of Use

This document outlines the benefits of using UW-Madison Google Workspace .

Why use UW-Madison Google Workspace Service?

The University realizes that a large number of students, faculty, and staff already put UW-Madison and personal content on Google Apps. UW-Madison is concerned about the use of intellectual property that is covered by "click through" licenses associated with a standard Google account. To address this, the University has signed up for a Google Apps for Education license to begin offering Google Apps to UW-Madison faculty, staff, and students.

Applications covered by the Google Workspace for Education Terms of Service include:
  • Google Drive
  • Google Docs
  • Google Sheets
  • Google Forms
  • Google Slides
  • Google Sites
  • Google Groups
  • Google Hangouts
  • Google Chat
  • Google Meet
  • Google Contacts
  • Google Calendar
  • Google Keep
Some benefits of this service are:
  • Users can authenticate using their UW-Madison NetID
  • User credentials are not stored on Google services
  • Users can find UW-Madison users through the populated Google Contact list — making document sharing easier
  • DoIT Help Desk can assist users with basic technical issues
  • DoIT can provide training on use of Google Apps
  • Users have wisc.edu URLs for resources created through the service
  • UW-Madison can assure users where the data is stored
  • Users will be subject to the jurisdiction in the courts of Wisconsin in any legal proceedings
  • Users may be represented by UW-Madison Legal Services if legal issues arise

Accessing consumer applications via UW-Madison Google Workspace

Google offers access to additional applications through UW-Madison Google Workspace . You will now be able to access these applications using your UW-Madison Google Workspace account. Unlike the official UW-Madison Google Workspace applications (Google Docs, Drive, Sites, Groups, Hangouts, Calendar, and Contacts), these Google Consumer Applications are not covered under the UW-Madison Terms of Service. You may be asked to accept new Terms of Service for these applications. Regardless of whether you are asked, be aware that you, not the UW-Madison, are accepting these terms as an individual.

The main differences for users of Google Consumer Applications are:

  • UW-Madison cannot assure users where the data is stored
  • Users will be subject to the jurisdiction in the courts of California in any legal proceedings
  • Representation by UW-Madison Legal Services cannot be assumed

Some benefits of using these applications through UW-Madison Google Workspace service are:

  • Users can authenticate using their UW-Madison NetID
  • User credentials are not stored on Google services
  • Users do not need to log in and out of the two services — all applications are accessible through one UW-Madison login
  • Any integration between Google applications is maintained
  • Users can still receive basic assistance through the DoIT Help Desk
  • Users have wisc.edu URLs for resources created through the service