Blackboard Ultra transition update

As IT prepares for the full transition to Blackboard Ultra in Fall 2025, here are a few important updates and reminders for staff to get ready for the move. Note: Fall Semester course shells have already been set up in the Ultra format and are ready for faculty to begin building courses in.

Important info: 

• Blackboard Ultra Resource Hub
  A dedicated website has been created to support faculty during the transition from Original to Ultra. This page contains guides, tutorials and helpful tips to make the process smooth and successful. Explore the resources here: USI Blackboard Ultra Upgrade
  
  
• Weekly Office Hours – your questions answered!
  Join the Blackboard Team and friends for weekly office hours, offered in both in-person and virtual formats:
  • 2 p.m. Tuesdays in-person at BE 2001
  • 10 a.m. Fridays virtually via Zoom (see the email on Blackboard Ultra from Shannon Hoehn, IT Project Manager, sent July 9 for meeting code.)

• Out-of-Office Notices
  With IT staff on vacation throughout the next few weeks, faculty and staff are asked to make use of the Service Desk ticketing system for any issues—this will allow members of the IT team to receive quick notifications of any issues with Blackboard Ultra. Visit services.usi.edu or click on the list of service requests for the LMS and related systems to put in a ticket.
  
  
• Upcoming Trainings: A schedule for trainings, open lab sessions and special topic workshops is being planned for the final weeks of summer. Stay tuned for more details, which will be posted to online, shared in USI Today and sent via email. If you have specific topics you'd like covered or preferences for format, feel free to email Hoehn directly at smhoehn@usi.edu.

• One-on-Ones, July 14-18: One-on-one sessions with Shannon Hoehn may be scheduled between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 14-18 in BE 2001. Email smhoehn@usi.edu to schedule a time.