An email was circulated recently giving prior notice that the IT network will be shut down over the Spring Bank Holiday in June for essential work to enhance security. There will be no IT services available on the university network on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 June 2012. IT services should be available, but will be at risk of some disruption, on Monday 4 June and back to normal from Tuesday 5 June.

It is important that deadlines for assessments in Blackboard (such as Assignments, Turnitin submissions, Test attempts, and Self-and-Peer Assessments) are not scheduled during this time, as students may not be able to successfully submit their work or complete their attempts.

It is recommended that any deadlines currently scheduled between 4:00pm on Friday 1 June and 9:00am on Wednesday 6 June 2012 are rescheduled for a time when the university re-opens following the extended holiday, such as noon on Wednesday 6 June.

When advising students of the revised date and time, reiterate that due to the network shutdown submissions and attempts should be avoided on Saturday 2, Sunday 3 and Monday 4 June when IT services will be unavailable or at-risk to reduce any anxiety if submissions or attempts cannot be made or reviewed.

It is considered good practice to avoid out-of-hours deadlines as students cannot contact someone at the university about last minute questions or difficulties.