Slack
Slack is a channel-based platform that offers persistent chat rooms organized by topic, private groups, and direct messaging. It allows users to communicate in private, group and public channels and share files and media.
Types of uses
- workspaces and channels for communication
- messages in groups and individually
- voice and video calls
- collaboration in a group/team
- searchable file archives
What it looks like
Supported alternatives
Useful information and tips
- Set up a Slack workspace for your college or university course
- Your guide to Slack in Higher Ed
- Inside Higher Ed: 4 Reasons Slack Will Change How You Teach
About this tool
Name: Slack
Vendor: Slack Technologies, Inc.
Website: https://slack.com
Cost: Free
Status: third-party platform
Approved for:
Level 1 Data: Public
Public is defined as:
- Information deemed to be public by legislation and/or under University policy
- Information in the public domain
Examples include:
- names of employees and
- business contact information
- job profile
- salary range
- discretional benefits
- relevant education
- names of registered students and
- dates of registration
- program of registration
- degree awarded
- convocation date
- annual reports
- public announcements
- telephone directory
- published research data
Level 2 Data: Internal Use
Internal Use is defined as:
- Information not approved for general circulation outside the University
- Information the disclosure or loss of which would inconvenience the University although it would unlikely result in financial loss or reputational damage
Examples of this include:
- internal memos sent to all members of a department
- minutes of department meetings that are circulated to all members of a department
- unpublished research data
- anonymized or de-identified human subject data
- library transactions and journals
Support available: From vendor – Slack Help Centre
Software license: Commercial, proprietary
Hosting: Servers hosted by vendor
