International Student Access Limitations - Core Teaching and Learning Systems
In anticipation of ongoing, fluid circumstances related to COVID-19, NU ITS wants to make you aware of limitations that exist for students who are accessing our core tools for teaching and learning outside of the United States. Not all tools the University of Nebraska uses to deliver digital education are accessible to students if the students are located in certain international countries. Some examples of access limitations are outlined below.
Anything that runs on Amazon Web Services and is behind the University of Nebraska's Single Sign On may have limitations if accessed in certain countries. These services include:
- Canvas
- Zoom
- VidGrid
- Respondus lockdown browser
- Course content that is integrated with Canvas such as eBooks, Pressbooks
- Other platforms integrated with Canvas, such as publisher content or LTI's/API's
- Box
- Gmail (UNO students)
Canvas
Instructure (parent company of Canvas, Canvas Catalog, and Bridge) complies with United States regulations related to embargoed countries and regions. As required by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, Instructure currently prohibits the unauthorized use of its products or services in:
- Cuba
- Iran
- North Korea
- Syria
- The region of Crimea
The exportation, re-exportation, sale or supply, directly or indirectly, from the United States, or by a U.S. person wherever located, of any Instructure products, services, or technology (including technical data) to any of these countries or regions is strictly prohibited without the prior authorization by the U.S. government.
Canvas and other Instructure services may not have reliable functionality in China. While some users still report being able to access Canvas in China, they are often subject to data throttling based on IP address. While users ability to access Canvas in China may be intermittent, some commonly used tools in Canvas are blocked, including Google products and TurnItIn.
Zoom
Individuals in the following countries will be unable to access Zoom for regulatory reasons: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Ukraine (Crimea Region). NU's Zoom platform does not utilize China's data center or connect to mainland china for data transit. Users in mainland China will connect to data centers outside of China and therefore experience performance issues.
Students will be able to access Microsoft email but will experience issues if email is sent or received via Canvas.
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Due to the evolving nature and wide reach of U.S. sanction programs, users are encouraged to consult applicable U.S. export control laws and regulations for further information.