Slack is the equivalent of USC’s digital campus — a collaboration hub that enables real-time communications and connections in a searchable platform for real-time messaging, content sharing, learning, and more.

Features:

  • Organized Conversations
  • Direct Messaging
  • Shared Channels across Workspaces
  • Searchable History
  • Apps and Integrations
  • Screen Sharing
  • Voice & Video Calls
  • Integrated File Sharing
  • Desktop & Mobile Apps

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Slack?
Slack is a central collaboration hub for students, faculty and staff. Faculty and students can easily collaborate on their courses. Staff can make operational communication even more effective by avoiding lengthy and complicated email chains. Ultimately, this real-time solution makes working together even simpler.
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How does Slack enable collaboration?
Slack is a messaging app for students, faculty and staff. It brings threads of communication and files into one place, where they’re instantly searchable and available wherever you go.
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How does Slack work?
Check out this Slack demo to see how the app can be used to support teams, departments and organizations like USC.  You may also reference this quick reference card–Slack Interface QRC–which highlights key features of the app.

What is a workspace?
A workspace is a separate instance of Slack that sits under the USC Enterprise Grid. A workspace has its own administrators and permission settings, and its own members, channels, and apps to enable a large group of people to collaborate long term.

What is a channel?
A channel is a context-based conversation where groups of people can communicate, and interact with information related to a common topic (e.g., project). These can be public or private, and can be within a single workspace or shared across multiple workspaces (i.e. organization channels like #its-announcements).

Can I update my Slack profile and photo?
You may update your profile (i.e. name, job description or title, phone number, time zone, etc.) as well as photo in Slack.

Who can use USC Slack Enterprise?
Slack is available to active students, faculty, and staff as well as active affiliates.

What if I have a Slack workspace?
If you are the owner of a Slack workspace that you would like to migrate into the USC Slack Enterprise, please submit a request to consult@usc.edu.  The plan is to migrate all existing workspaces under the larger enterprise grid to enable greater collaboration amongst our students, faculty and staff.

How do I set up a new workspace or channel?
There is a phase rollout planned for Slack workspaces and channels based on a broader university deployment plan.  Updates on this rollout can be found under the #its-announcement channel in Slack. If you have an immediate need for a workspace or channel, submit your request to consult@usc.edu.

When will Slack be available?
All active students, faculty, and staff have immediate access to the Trojan Talk workspace.  As a follow up, there will be a phased rollout of additional Slack workspaces and channels based on a broader university deployment plan.  Updates on this rollout can be found under the #its-announcement channel in Slack.

How are security provisions managed in Slack?
All students, faculty and staff authenticate through Shibboleth to access Slack. For additional details (including FedRAMP and ISO 27001, 27017, and 27018 certifications) regarding Slack security click here.

Is there a key contact for questions and feedback pertaining to USC’s university-wide Slack deployment?
Nilik Minassian is the Director Unified of Communications & Collaboration and key contact for the USC Enterprise Grid.