SUNY Migrates to Blackboard Learn To Reduce Costs

  • By Mike Hohenbrink
  • 01/20/12

The State University of New York will adopt a single platform for online learning in an effort to manage costs.

SUNY has selected Washington, D.C.-based technology provider Blackboard as its partner in the venture.

All of SUNY's 64 colleges and universities will have access to the Blackboard Learn platform for resource management and community engagement.

The move is expected to see many SUNY institutions that currently use Angel, an older Blackboard learning platform, upgrade to the newer platform. While support for ANGEL continues through October 2014, Blackboard is already promoting its newest version by offering a price break for up to six years for institutions that migrate to Blackboard Learn 9.1, the latest version on the market, or that use services such as Blackboard Mobile.

The 64 SUNY colleges and universities that upgrade will join more than 1,800 institutions currently using Blackboard's 9.1 release.

Features of the new release include:

  • Improved stability;
  • Social learning tools;
  • Digital media integrations; and
  • Enhancements in workflow efficiencies.

"This strategic partnership with Blackboard is significant in that it will leverage the strengths of our organizations to mutual advantage," said Carey Hatch, SUNY's associate provost for academic technologies and information services. "Blackboard provides the best fit in technology and support for the SUNY system. Having a strong partner is important to our University System as we look to increase efficiencies and learning opportunities for our students."  

"Like others, I had my own questions at first about Blackboard, but by seeking input from the user community on features and functionality, they have demonstrated a sincere commitment to preserving the focus on the user that made the ANGEL community special," said Greg Ketcham, associate director of distance learning at SUNY Oswego. "Having the same learning management platform available across the SUNY system will give us the ability to bring a common learning experience to the greatest number of students and help us meet our goals for student portability and student choice."

Additional information about the State University of New York can be found at suny.edu. More information about Blackboard is available at blackboard.com or via Twitter at @Blackboard.

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