--- title: UMD response to nationwide Canvas outage date: 2026-05-08T07:56:00-04:00 author: Bradley Bower canonical_url: "https://provost.umd.edu/news/umd-response-to-nationwide-canvas-outage" section: News --- # UMD response to nationwide Canvas outage *May 8, 2026* — by Bradley Bower > Sent to all University of Maryland faculty, staff, and students on May 7, 2026 Dear University of Maryland community, We recognize that tomorrow is the last day of classes, many final projects are due, and it is critical that students and faculty have access to materials in preparation for final exams and assessments. As you have seen through a UMD Alert earlier today, [Canvas is unavailable nationwide](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ4NzB9AAsAAAAAAMu1W5plY8gj8FLZt2DFK6yd7o6gLu8Vxxx3NFnCewBDcPrgboQ81zjFmlX3UhS5i_XUxZ9AVgPMk8dGlt2oXtDIGF7cTS42ycVb0TKQqA "Canvas is unavailable nationwide"). This means that information stored in Canvas is not available. The Canvas issue is unrelated to the brief Wi-Fi outage that we experienced today. The timing of the Canvas outage is extremely challenging, and we are working on solutions that will allow you to communicate and share materials in an alternate fashion. We regret the inconvenience that this will cause you, but we are certain that we as a community will do everything possible to help our faculty and students prepare. **For our faculty who use Canvas**, [we have created this guidance, and we will continue adding resources tomorrow](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ4NzB9AAsAAAAAAMu1W5pmoP0UWHu9clO02dpErceyo9iMknzzGB8N7jekcufJI-A2zvr6kwO18GUApaItxn3xfFMDE2CkcJudCRsn1sCRM2NPvbUKDgIE7g "we have created this guidance, and we will continue adding resources tomorrow"). Please stay in touch with your students as we adapt to this evolving situation. **For our students,** we are urging faculty to communicate directly with you about next steps. Please check your TERPmail regularly. Your Division of IT colleagues are here to support you. Here are two easy ways to contact IT, recognizing that volume for requests will be high: [itsupport@umd.edu](mailto:itsupport@umd.edu?subject= "itsupport@umd.edu") and IT Help Desk 301.405.1500. Updates will continue to be posted to [it.umd.edu](https://click.email.umd.edu/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ4NzB9AAsAAAAAAMu1W5pnliKapkarzeSxRciaNrrBMqx9E4KV1Xb5we7Ae61EfECOW-zN29lb3qN9INmScxwiJkIq1af0PROx5cz2DO-pWhUo3YLdeLc4Zg "it.umd.edu"). We recognize the current Canvas outage may negatively impact faculty and students testing with the Accessibility and Disability Service (ADS). Faculty who are impacted by the Canvas outage should contact ADS directly at [adstest@umd.edu](mailto:adstest@umd.edu?subject= "adstest@umd.edu"). ADS will work in collaboration with faculty to adjust the format of their exams or identify other appropriate solutions. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our academic mission during the final days of this academic year. Sincerely, **Jeffrey K. Hollingsworth's signature** **Jeffrey K. Hollingsworth** *Vice President IT & CIO* **Signature of Jennifer King Rice** **Jennifer King Rice** *Senior Vice President and Provost*