Division of Information Technology

Blackboard Update Schedule

This is the regular 3-times-a-year schedule for applying software updates to the Blackboard LMS. This schedule is not intended to include major releases or version upgrades of Blackboard, but rather the minor point releases, patches, and security fixes that are released by Blackboard on a regular basis. All updates are installed in our Test environment, allowing regression testing and feedback, and then installed to our Production (Live) environment approximately 2 weeks later.

If you are interested in contributing to the designated testing, please contact Robert Adelson via IT Client Services at (201) 761-7800 or servicedesk@saintpeters.edu and an account access will be created for you.

Urgent updates and alerts are available on the Service Advisory page

For calendar year 2019

Approved by IT Governance Committee on 11/13/2018

Test Release End of Test Feedback Review Production Release Release Notes
Q1 2019 RELEASE Sunday, Feb 3, 2019 Saturday, Feb 16, 2019 Tuesday, Feb 26, 2019 Q1 2019 PDF
Q2 2019 RELEASE Sunday, May 12, 2019 Saturday, May 25, 2019 Tuesday, June 4, 2019  Q2 2019 pdf
Q3/4 2019 RELEASE Sunday, Sep 22, 2019 Saturday, Oct 5, 2019 Tuesday, Oct 15, 2019 Q3/4 2019 pdf

NOTES:

  • Installation on Test Environment. At this date, the updates would be applied in the test environment for a period of two weeks. This 13 day window provides an opportunity for designated testers to access the test system and report any concerns about the test implementation of the updates back to IT for research and resolution.
  • Testing sign-offs. Designated testers will have until this date to submit feedback on proposed updates.
  • Installation on Production environment. Managed Hosting services will perform the update on Production on Tuesday Morning. This typically takes 5-7 hours – please be advised that the Service Level Agreement in place designates potential update downtime for a period of up to 12 hours. This schedule ensures availability of support once updates are implemented. Dates have been selected to avoid coinciding with the end of any terms..

For calendar year 2018

Approved by IT Governance Committee on 11/14/2017

Test Release End of Test Feedback Review Production Release Release Notes
Q1 2018 RELEASE Sunday, Feb 4, 2018 Saturday, Feb 17, 2018 Tuesday, Feb 27, 2018 Q1 2018 pdf
Q2 2018 RELEASE Sunday, May 13, 2018 Saturday, May 26, 2018 Tuesday, June 5, 2018 Q2 2019 pdf
Q3/4 2018 RELEASE Sunday, Sep 23, 2018 Saturday, Oct 6, 2018 Tuesday, Oct 16, 2018 Q3/4 2018 pdf

For calendar year 2017

Approved by IT Governance Committee on 10/11/2016

Test Release End of Test Feedback Review Production Release Release Notes
Q1 2017 RELEASE Sunday, Feb 5, 2017 Saturday, Feb 18, 2017 Tuesday, Feb 28, 2017 Q1 2017 pdf
Q2 2017 RELEASE Sunday, May 14, 2017 Saturday, May 27, 2017 Tuesday, Jun 6, 2017
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Q2 2017 pdf
Q3/4 2017 RELEASE Sunday, Sep 24, 2017 Saturday, Oct 7, 2017 Tuesday, Oct 17, 2017 Q3/4 2017 pdf

For calendar year 2016

Approved by IT Governance Committee on 10-29-2015

Test Release End of Test Feedback Review Production Release Release Notes
Q1 2016 RELEASE Sunday, Feb 7, 2016 Saturday, Feb 20, 2016 Tuesday, Mar 1, 2016 Q1 2016 pdf
Q2 2016 RELEASE Sunday, May 15, 2016 Saturday, May 28, 2016 Saturday, Jun 4, 2016
Q3/4 2016 RELEASE Sunday, Sep 25, 2016 Saturday, Oct 8, 2016 Tuesday Nov 1, 2016 Q3/4 2016 pdf