Blackboard Ultra (Faculty) - How Long Do Courses Stay in Blackboard?
Courses are kept in Blackboard for 5 past semesters, plus the current semester (5 + 1). For example, in Fall 2026, these courses would be in Blackboard: Fall 2026 (current), Summer 2026 (past), Spring 2026 (past), Fall 2025 (past), Summer 2025 (past), Spring 2025 (past). Course shells outside the 5 + 1 frame will be removed from the LMS according to the 5+1 schedule below.
Faculty are encouraged to export a copy of each course shell at the end of each semester to ensure those versions are available for future use. ITS will not retain any backups or copies of courses.
Information about 5+1, including best practices and instructions on exporting course shells, is available in this ITS KnoweldgeBase article: 5 + 1 Course Retention Practice
| Term | Removed mid-semester |
|---|---|
| Summer 2024 | Summer 2026 |
| Fall 2024 | Fall 2026 |
| Spring 2025 | Spring 2027 |
| Summer 2025 | Summer 2027 |
| Fall 2025 | Fall 2027 |
| Spring 2026 | Spring 2028 |
| Summer 2026 | Summer 2028 |
| Fall 2026 | Fall 2028 |
| Spring 2027 | Spring 2029 |
| Summer 2027 | Summer 2029 |
| Fall 2027 | Fall 2029 |
| Spring 2028 | Spring 2030 |
| Summer 2028 | Summer 2030 |
| Fall 2028 | Fall 2030 |
| Spring 2029 | Spring 2031 |
| Summer 2029 | Summer 2031 |
| Fall 2029 | Fall 2031 |
| Spring 2030 | Spring 2032 |
| Summer 2030 | Summer 2032 |
| Fall 2030 | Fall 2032 |
| Spring 2031 | Spring 2033 |
| Summer 2031 | Summer 2033 |
| Fall 2031 | Fall 2033 |
| Spring 2032 | Spring 2034 |
| Summer 2032 | Summer 2034 |
| Fall 2032 | Fall 2034 |
| Spring 2033 | Spring 2035 |
| Summer 2033 | Summer 2035 |
| Fall 2033 | Fall 2035 |
| Spring 2034 | Spring 2036 |
| Summer 2034 | Summer 2036 |
| Fall 2034 | Fall 2036 |
| Spring 2035 | Spring 2036 |
| Summer 2035 | Summer 2036 |
| Fall 2035 | Fall 2036 |
Need Additional Support?
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the ITS Help Desk:
- Call: (618) 650-5500
- Email: help@siue.edu
- Visit: Lovejoy Library Room 0005 during regular business hours.
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