• Webtools: Policy

    What is Webtools?

    Webtools is a continually developing suite of online tools designed to help University of Illinois faculty and staff accomplish their web and communication responsibilities quickly and easily. Webtools allows university professionals to focus on the information they are gathering or sharing and not on the technology needed to accomplish the task. Webtools is currently comprised of Blogs, Bulletins, Calendars, Directory, Email+, File Manager, Forms, Group Manager, Massmail, Short URL, Skin Designer, Surveys, Transfer, and Sponsored.

    Terms of Service (TOS)

    The TOS must be read and agreed to before access to Webtools is granted. The first time a user logs in to Webtools the TOS acceptance prompt will be displayed.

    Storage

    All data and files are stored at Amazon Web Services.  All files are backed three times a day via Amazon's S3 storage.  All database data is backed up continuously via Amazon's RDS processes.  Database backups are kept for ten business days.

    Webtoolos cleanup and deletion

    Calendars

    • Calendar events are deleted three years after the event has occurred.
    • Unused calendars are deleted after two years of inactivity.

    Group Manager

    • Email groups in the Group Manager are automatically deleted if they have not been used in 18 months.

    Email

    • Email sent data is deleted after 18 months. No reports can be run after this time.
    • Emails sent to users will maintain their links as long as Sparkpost, the campus email vendor, agrees to provide them.
    • Emails, newsletters, and reports are deleted after three years.
    • Unsent emails are deleted after 12 months.

    Forms and Surveys

    • 'Live' forms and surveys are automatically 'ended' after 18 months without a submission.
    • 'Ended' forms and surveys are automatically set to 'draft' mode 18 months after ending.
    • 'Draft' forms and surveys are automatically deleted 18 months after being returned to 'draft' mode.

    Servers

    All servers reside at Amazon Web Services.

    Access

    All faculty, staff, and students at the university have access to Webtools using their Shibboleth login. Students only have access to manage in Webtools, not to create.  Staff may grant students access to create if it is needed as part of their job responsibilities.

    Technical support

    If you experience problems with Webtools please contact us by filling out the contact form. 

    Legitimate Webtools uses

    The applications within Webtools may only be used for purposes related to the University of Illinois. Any usage unrelated to the University will result in the forfeiture of Webtools privileges for that specific user. The Office of Web Services retains the right to determine/identify inappropriate use of the tools. If you have any questions, please contact us.