Throughout summer 2016, Blackboard will archive the following terms from our Blackboard server:

These courses will then be retired from the Blackboard system in mid-FA2016.

The Blackboard system’s overall performance and efficiency will improve by removing files and transactions from the content server and database. AY14-15 and AY15-16 will remain on the server, and we will begin a new academic year of data retention (AY16-17).

Is my content gone forever?

No, Blackboard will archive courses as of mid-June, which will capture all course data, files, student submissions, discussions, grades, etc. to date. These archives will reside on a secure drive with the Division of Information Technology.

Can I save a copy of my own courses?

Yes -- and we certainly encourage it. Instructors can export (course content) and/or archive (course content & student data) their courses. You should also download a copy of your grade book. We recommend saving these files to your UMBC Box account to ensure long term access in the event you change computer systems.

Can I restore (regain access to) only course content?

Yes. Course content consists of files and course structure (menu, folders, etc.). Faculty can only import course content to an existing Blackboard course shell.

Can I restore course data?

Course data consists of student submissions, discussions, and grades. We generally prefer not to restore full courses to avoid reinstating user accounts and confusing students with old content. If you must restore archived course data, please open an RT ticket with justification included.

How long will you keep the retired courses?

We will keep the retired courses for 2 years after Blackboard archives the courses. Faculty who may need content beyond 2 years should plan to save copies of their exported courses to UMBC Box.

When will the archiving and retirement of courses happen?

The archiving process began on Friday, May 27th and continues into June. We anticipate retirement of AY13-14 courses to begin late summer.

The DoIT Technology Support Center is looking to hire additional consultants to work during the Summer. Please see our job description below and visit our job posting on UMBCWorks to apply. The position will be open for applications until May 18th. 

(Search for TSC Student Consultant.)

We're looking, specifically, for students who are able to work between the hours below:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 8AM-2PM

Technology Support Center (TSC) student consultants are the first points of technical contact for the UMBC community and those who do well often go on to work in other areas of the Division of Information Technology (DoIT). Minimally, consultants are expected to provide initial triage and support for a wide-range of information technologies including accounts, hardware, instructional technologies, networking, software, telecommunications, and basic web development.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide technical assistance to users by phone, online and in person;

• Answer TSC phones in a professional and courteous manner;

• Create, update and resolve tickets in the Request Tracker (RT) ticketing system;

• Create, update, suggest and recommend relevant FAQ articles to users (www.umbc.edu/faq);

• Provide direct assistance to users on technical issues they cannot easily resolve on their own;

• Complete in-person or online training about quality support as defined inumbc.edu/go/ticketrubric;

• Respond to all work related communications in a timely manner;

• Escalate urgent problems to the Full-Time staff, as appropriate.

Required Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate by phone or in person.

• Demonstrated writing ability.

• Demonstrated ability to achieve successful outcomes in handling difficult situations and customers.

• Demonstrated analytical and troubleshooting skills.

• Ability & willingness to learn coupled with clear understanding of one’s technical abilities, so as to triage and escalate an issue that leads to an effective solution for the user.