Delete and Temporary Chat Now Available in VCU Gemini
Google has updated Gemini within VCU’s licensed environment, introducing new features that allow users to delete specific chats and work in “Temporary Chat” mode.
These features enhance the usability of VCU’s licensed Gemini environment, which remains a data Category 2 tool. As always, within this university-supported environment, user data is protected and not used for model training. VCU users can access these features by signing in to Gemini with their VCU eID or via the app menu in their VCU Google Workspace.
Deleting Specific Chats
Users can now remove individual conversation threads from their “Recent” activity list, decluttering the workspace after completing a task or for removing specific discussions. To delete a chat, users can locate the conversation in the left-hand sidebar, hover over the title to reveal the options menu (represented by three dots), and select the delete/trash icon.
Figure 1 (Above): Visual guide to the new chat management controls. The left panel demonstrates how to locate the ‘Delete chat’ icon within the specific chat options menu. The right panel shows the location and function of the ‘Temporary chat’ toggle switch.
Temporary Chat Mode
The new “Temporary Chat” feature provides a way to interact with the model without saving the conversation to history. When activated, Gemini will not remember previous prompts from that session once the window is closed, and the conversation will not appear in the “Recent” list. This is ideal for quick, one-off inquiries or brainstorming sessions that do not require documentation. The toggle for Temporary Chat can be found near the user profile or settings menu within the Gemini interface.
General Use Cases
These new controls offer practical benefits across various VCU functions.
For Teaching
Instructors can use Temporary Chat for rapid-fire exploration of potential exam questions or alternative assignment phrasing without cluttering their saved prompts. Deletion allows for the removal of practice sessions after a final version is established in a separate document.
For Research
Research teams can use Temporary Chat for quick literature reconnaissance or keyword brainstorming. Deletion helps manage distinct research project threads, allowing users to remove exploratory conversations once they have served their purpose.
For Organizational Tasks
Staff can utilize Temporary Chat for drafting short, non-sensitive communications (like a quick routine email) or generating a meeting agenda outline. Deletion provides a method for tidying up recurring administrative workflows.
These controls empower faculty, staff, and students to handle short-term tasks more efficiently, while maintaining the data security standards of VCU’s licensed Category 2 environment.
Categories Google Gemini Features