eCampus Ultra FAQ

A new version of Blackboard’s learning management system called Ultra is used by some early adopters across the University. View answers to frequently asked questions below.

When will faculty be required to use eCampus Ultra? 

With the migration of WVU Online courses completed, ITS and the Office of the Provost are ready to begin a broader rollout for voluntary early adopters.  

Most eCampus courses will need to be copied to or rebuilt in Ultra by Fall 2025, and eCampus Original will be retired at the end of the Spring 2026 semester, or when the vendor stops providing updates. By Summer 2026, all eCampus courses should be in Ultra.  

This timeline gives instructors, departments and colleges two years to plan their transition. 

Can I switch to eCampus Ultra now? 

Currently, ITS is focused on WVU Online courses in collaboration with the Provost’s Office and does not have the capacity to take on more early adopters. However, there are several important considerations when it is your turn to make the change. 

• This is an entirely new interface, not a routine version update. You will likely want time to explore the new platform and review the eCampus Ultra resources so you understand the differences between the classic and new platforms. 

• ITS strongly recommends you give yourself sufficient time to rebuild your existing courses. Current eCampus courses can’t be copied over as they are in the classic tool. Although migration tools are available, you’ll likely want to thoroughly review your course content. 

• Finally, it’s important to understand that once you shift to Ultra, you cannot revert to the older version of eCampus. 

What is the difference between a development course shell and a production course shell?   

A development course shell is a sandbox or practice area where instructors can experiment and design their course materials. It’s a space for building, testing and refining content without affecting the actual course that students see. Think of it as a rehearsal space.  

A production course shell is the live, actual space where the real course is conducted with students. It’s the final version of the course where students access materials and participate in class.

Once an instructor is satisfied with their course design in the development shell, they can copy this content into a production environment for use in teaching.

How can I get more information? 

ITS recommends you consult with the instructional designers in your college, if you have them, or with your designated eCampus Point of Contact (POC).  

Why can't I attach a file to my assignment? (Instructors & Students) 

The file upload size limit is 20MB. This applies to attachments in assignments, messages and email. Students who have an assignment with a larger file size(s) that exceed the 20 MB file size limit can use large file submissions options such as the Blackboard App, embedded media, Mashups, or share from a Google Drive. Instructors may set up a Turnitin or VoiceThread assignment that allow for larger submissions.

Why can't I upload new files to my course? (Instructors)

Check the course quota to make sure it has not exceeded the size limit: 

1. Navigate to the Course Content page.

2. In the Details & Actions list, under Books & Tools, click View course & institution tools.

3. In Books & Course Tools panel, click on Content Collection.

4. Click on the Course ID folder name. (Example: star10000.201808)

5. View the available quota, or the used folder size.

   1. See the Available Quota (remaining space) at the top of the content list.

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   2. Or, click the drop-down chevron at the end of the Course ID name at the top of the page, then select 360° View. The Folder Size field displays the current size of the course.

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The overall content collection for each course is limited to 500MB. At 400MB, users will be notified that they are close to the limit. Course sections that exceed 500MB present numerous problems when copying content into future sessions. This is why the restriction is strictly followed. In order to restore disk space to a course, instructors need to navigate through course content collections, and delete any unused or unnecessary files such as images, videos and audio. Large PDF or PowerPoint files can also quickly fill a course.

Can I copy materials from one course to another? (Instructors)

Yes, view the Copy Original Content to Ultra article for all content options and instructions. 

What permissions do Teaching Assistants have? (Instructors & Teaching Assistants)

Teaching Assistants will not be able to build content in production. The Teaching Assistant (TA) role inside of WVU eCampus grants the Teaching Assistant access to nearly everything an Instructor has access to in the Control Panel, with exception to the following: 

• Tests, Surveys, & Pools?

• Tool Availability

• Goals

• Export/Archive Course

Requests for a Teaching Assistant may be submitted through eRS (https://ers.wvu.edu/). After submitting a person for enrollment as a Teaching Assistant, that person will receive an email directing them to complete the code of confidentiality (COC) in eRS system. Since a Teaching Assistant can have access to grades, Teaching Assistants must sign and agree to the WVU eCampus Code of Confidentiality (COC) each term they are to be enrolled. The TA can acknowledge this by logging into https://ers.wvu.edu with their WVU Login and submitting a Teaching Assistant COC. Only one COC per term needs to be submitted.

Why do I keep getting timed out of eCampus while working?

eCampus will log you out of the system 90 minutes after the time that log in. If you need some time to compose a post for a discussion or an essay answer on an assignment, we recommend typing up your text in a separate application, like Word or other document or text editing software. Then you can copy and paste the text into the answer box in the eCampus page.