All final exams & assignments scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are postponed
May 7, 2026 8:45 PM

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students, 

Due to the global cyberattack that has taken Canvas offline at universities across the country, all final exams and assignments, including papers, projects, etc., scheduled for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday are postponed. For the sake of consistency and clarity, the university is extending this policy to all classes, including those that don’t currently utilize Canvas.  

Some Canvas users viewed a message as part of the cybersecurity incident that contained malicious website links and other contact points. It is important to not click or visit these links as they can also be sources of malware or potential compromise. 

University leaders will consult with the Deans and the Senate Executive Committee regarding next steps and will communicate to the campus community before noon on Sunday, May 10, with more details regarding Canvas, assignments, and final exams currently scheduled for next week. 

As more information becomes available, updates will be posted on the University Statements webpage and the 2026 Canvas Incident page. Instructure, the parent company of Canvas, is still investigating and has not shared specific information with us regarding Illinois data included in the breach.

Illinois is one of thousands of universities currently experiencing the same issue. Technology and academic leaders are communicating with our peer institutions as we explore options for next steps. I understand this situation adds new stress and uncertainty to the end of the academic year, and I thank you for your patience as we work through this disruption.

Sincerely,
John Coleman 
Provost