Press Play on YuJa: New Video Platform Available to Campus Users

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 11:52:57 -0400
lecture-capture, multimedia, panopto, video-capture, yuja, yuja-migration

In August, DoIT announced that UMBC will transition to YuJa as our new video capture and hosting platform, replacing Panopto. YuJa is a modern video system with advanced editing capabilities, active learning quizzing, detailed analytics, accessibility support, and sophisticated content sharing options. While migrating to YuJa now – to be ready for the Spring 2026 term – is challenging, doing so also reduces ongoing concerns about Panopto's media and folder management, pace of feature development, and increasing fees.

"In anticipation of my winter session course, I was able to quickly and easily migrate my videos to YuJa," said Tara Carpenter, Chemistry, who teaches UMBC's largest courses, CHEM 101 & 102. "I was also able to download the YuJa software and prepare to record a video in just a few minutes without prior training. Not only is it easy to use, but the features look amazing for professors and students."

YuJa is now fully available to campus users with access via Blackboard and myUMBC login. You can start using YuJa for recording and hosting video content right away!

What happens to existing Panopto video content?

UMBC plans to migrate all video content from Panopto and it will take two key stages to move this media between two vendors. Starting November 10th, Panopto is preparing our video content for export, including compiling a large metadata file with user information, video titles, associated closed captions, corresponding edits, and embedded quizzes. This stage of the process can take up to four weeks. The second stage will require YuJa to import the video content, which can take another four weeks to process. At this time, we estimate the video migration to conclude around January 9, 2026, allowing for the holiday break and barring unforeseen technical issues. If we anticipate delays, we will notify the campus.

When can I access my existing media in YuJa?

During the migration, you will be able to access your imported Panopto content as soon as each media file is processed to your YuJa account. You will find your content in your Media Management page, associated with your user profile, and from there, you can share it with your courses. You do NOT have to wait until the entire migration is finished to use your imported content in YuJa or to start recording new videos in YuJa.

What happens if I need access to existing Panopto content for Winter classes and it is not yet available in my YuJa account?

Panopto will still function for viewing content in Blackboard and via other sharing options. However, if you are concerned now about your winter course, you can self-migrate content, or if you wait for the bulk migration and you do not see your content in YuJa, please contact Instructional Technology via RT ticket by December 22, 2025, for specific support in this scenario.

Can I move my own content?

Yes, of course! Faculty and staff who have small video collections, or videos without edits and quizzes, can choose to move their own content at any point once YuJa is available. This is an optional step available to faculty who prefer to manage their own videos. You may encounter duplicate videos as imported content appears, which can be removed as you determine.

How will I know about the status of the migration?

Instructional Technology will also post updates via myUMBC and via pop-up message in Blackboard once the migration begins with periodic progress reports about the status of the migration.

Will DoIT keep all migrated content in YuJa?

After a period of time, some migrated video will be marked for removal -- for example, video that is orphaned since users are no longer with UMBC. Additionally, DoIT will establish video retention policies based on a variety of criteria such as lack of views over a certain period of time or copyright violation. These criteria will be vetted in collaboration with the Faculty Senate Computer Policy Committee by early Fall 2026 along with storage quotas for all users.

Can I keep using Panopto during the content migration?

Yes, you can still share and view content, including media used in Fall courses. However, we recommend that you do not use Panopto to record new media starting November 10th since YuJa will have the list of content it is importing. If you choose to create new videos in Panopto during the migration, you will need to move that media yourself from Panopto to YuJa once the migration ends. There will not be another bulk migration after the first one concludes. If at all possible, please start using YuJa now if you need to record new media.

When does Panopto access end?

Access to Panopto via Blackboard will end on December 22, 2025 after the fall semester concludes. This means that the tool will not be available in Blackboard courses and organizations, but video content will still be available in Panopto to view until the end of our license. Users can still log into Panopto via myUMBC until March 23, 2026 to download and move any remaining video content. UMBC's contract with Panopto ends on March 25, 2026, at which point we will no longer have access to the platform.

What training is coming for YuJa?

Instructional Technology will offer the following workshops on getting started in YuJa as well as two Video Production Labs in January to offer 1-1 support for migrating your media. Please review our upcoming schedule on myUMBC, or register for one of these events:

11/20 Recording and Sharing in YuJa

12/10 Editing in YuJa

12/12 Quizzing and Active Learning in YuJa

1/20 Video Production Lab (in person)

1/22 Video Production Lab (virtual)

Additional training will be scheduled.

Follow the Instructional Technology myUMBC group for more information about YuJa updates and training events. To log into YuJa via myUMBC, please visit umbc.edu/go/yuja. To review the documentation, please visit umbc.edu/go/yujafaqs. Additional questions about the migration are addressed in this Google Doc.

Connect with Instructional Technology

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:

Check our extensive FAQ collection

What's new in Ultra? | Known Issues

Open a ticket via RT

Follow the Instructional Technology & DoIT myUMBC groups

Request a consult with instructional technology staff