From Friday 4 September, the University will move to using Microsoft Teams as our single platform for online meetings, communication and collaboration.
From this date, Zoom will no longer be licensed for staff and students though they will still be able to join Zoom-hosted teaching sessions and external Zoom meetings as necessary.
The change is part of a wider initiative to reduce costs by removing duplicated technology, standardising digital services and maintaining and making better use of the Microsoft 365 tools already available for teaching, research, and Professional Services.
We recognise this will be a significant change for some. Guidance, training and support will be available to help colleagues transition successfully.
*Exceptionally, academic colleagues delivering online teaching and Online Distance Learning (ODL) will continue to use Zoom for live teaching activities for now.
What does this mean for me?
If you want to host an online meeting from Friday 4 September onwards, you’ll need to do it in Microsoft Teams (unless it is an online teaching or ODL activity).
If you need to attend a Zoom session hosted by someone else, you will still be able to do this as normal.
Colleagues involved with ODL or other online teaching should check after Friday 4 September and before the start of teaching that they still have the access needed to host Zoom sessions. If this access does not appear to be available, please contact your School office.
What do I need to do now?
If you have already scheduled to host a Zoom meeting on or after 4 September, you’ll need to reschedule your session in Teams to make sure it can go ahead.
Except those who deliver ODL, or other online teaching. Colleagues in this group are being identified and will retain their Zoom license for now. Any colleague who feels they have been left off this list in error will need to contact their School office on or after Friday 4 September.
Why Microsoft Teams?
Microsoft Teams offers seamless integration with Outlook, OneDrive and other Microsoft 365 applications, creating a more connected experience for chat, meetings, file sharing and collaboration within a single platform.
Find out more
You can find out more about this change on our webpage where you’ll also find links to guidance, training resources, FAQs and quick-start materials.
If you have any questions about this change, please contact the Service Desk for support.