Student data and the Library Course Materials page
About student data collection
As a University of Minnesota student, it is important for you to understand how your data is being collected and for what purposes it is being used.
University student data is governed by policies and rules that limit who can view and access it. Only instructors, staff, and researchers with a legitimate need can access student data and permissions granting access are tightly controlled.
The University Libraries are committed to keeping your data secure, respecting your privacy, and ethically using your data to help you be successful in your academic career. The Libraries collect data to conduct research, shape services, and assess the Libraries’ impact on student success (for example, students who use Libraries resources are more likely to graduate in 4 years). The Libraries collects data in accordance with University policy guidelines and license obligations.
Student data pilot project
From June 2023 through March 2026 the University Libraries collected data regarding the specific resources students use in Library Course Materials page reading lists in Canvas.
This individualized data collection allowed the University Libraries, and instructors and researchers with access to the data, the opportunity to analyze student usage of Library Course Materials resources alongside other Canvas usage data. The pilot is now finished, and the University Libraries have decided to stop collecting this data. We will also delete all data collected during the pilot.