Apple Mail problem retrieving emails from a gmail account

Hello, I have noticed on my MacStudio and MacbookPro (both running current macOS) that Apple Mail doesn’t handle my university gmail account well. Sending emails is ok, but there are long lags and sometimes received emails just don’t show in Mail app. This problem seemed to start around March of this year, so I don’t know if it’s a problem with university webservice or maybe some ‘upgrade’ to macOS. I have done a lot of trouble-shooting including rebuilding mailbox, deleting account and then reinstalling, safe boot, etc. Here is the software that the university runs and/or installs on macs with DEP:

Infoblox Endpoint

mimecast.com

CrowdStrike

firewall software on individual macs presumably (DEP forces this to be on)

From Apple Discussions, it seems like gmail accounts run fine for many on Apple Mail, but some have problems. By the way, partner’s MacbookAir handles gmail fine and this mac is not associated with university. My iCloud and Comcast email accounts work ok.

A second question is does anyone have a recommendation for a third party app rather than Apple Mail? I suppose I just need to test a few to see if more reliable.

thanks