Cloud Storage Cost Optimization Project

Summary

Communication from VP Dan Ewart about upcoming storage optimization activities.

Body

Please read the communication from VP Dan Ewart about upcoming storage optimization activities.

Dear University Community,

I am reaching out to share information about an important initiative aimed at reducing the university’s cloud storage costs. As our data usage continues to grow, it is essential that we manage resources efficiently to support our academic and research missions while ensuring fiscal responsibility. 

In the last few years, major technology providers like Google, Microsoft and others have moved away from providing unlimited data storage.  In our case, Microsoft has changed how it charges for cloud storage, including where our institutional email, OneDrive, SharePoint and other data are stored. This change could cost the university hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. By expiring archived data and implementing ongoing retention tools, we can remove obsolete data and better manage storage costs.

Over the coming months, our IT team will be implementing strategies to optimize cloud storage, including reviewing storage allocations, removing outdated data, and promoting best practices for data management. Efforts will be made to minimize impact on everyone, but changes will be needed. You will see messages coming from OIT related to these efforts.  We ask for your cooperation in following them, further identifying files that are no longer needed and adhering to updated guidelines as they are released. Suggestions and questions will be welcome throughout the process.  As specific situations or challenges arise, please work with OIT to address them in secure and compliant ways.

We will keep you informed throughout this process and provide support to make this transition as smooth as possible. Your partnership is vital to the success of this project.

Thank you for your attention and collaboration.

Sincerely,

Dan Ewart

VP & Chief Information Officer

Office of Information Technologies

Details

Details

Article ID: 3783
Created
Tue 11/18/25 3:52 PM
Modified
Tue 11/18/25 7:33 PM