Overview
Course channels are automatically generated in Slack at the beginning of each semester. Per ITS, once the semester is over, the course channels for that semester remain active for one more semester, and then are auto-archived. Once a channel is auto-archived, all channel members receive a notification from Slackbot.
While you cannot opt out of the auto-archiving process, you can manually unarchive a channel afterward.
Image source: ITS's Keep Teaching Slack page for faculty.
Finding an archived Slack channel
If you are having trouble finding your archived Slack channel, you can search and filter for it:
Quick guide
- In the left menu, click + Add channels and select Browse channels.
- Click Any channel type and select Archived. You can further filter the list using the other options at the top, such as Workspaces.
- Once you locate your archived channel, click its name to open it.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
- In the left menu, click + Add channels and select Browse channels.
- Click Any channel type and select Archived. You can further filter the list using the other options at the top, such as Workspaces.
- Once you locate your archived channel, click its name to open it.
Unarchiving a Slack channel
ITS, workspace admins, and channel managers have the ability to archive and unarchive a Slack channel. Note that course channels, which are automatically generated, by default do not have channel managers.
If you are not a workspace admin or channel manager, you have the following options for unarchiving a Slack channel:
- Option 1: Email ITS at consult@usc.edu, and request that they unarchive the channel.
- Option 2: Email ITS at consult@usc.edu, and request to be made a channel manager for the channel. Then, you can unarchive the channel yourself.
If you are a channel manager, here's how you can unarchive your channel:
Quick guide
- Open the channel, and click its name at the top.
- Click the Settings tab. Then, click Unarchive this channel. If you do not see this option, you are not a channel manager and will need to contact ITS.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
- Open the channel, and click its name at the top.
- Click the Settings tab. Then, click Unarchive this channel. If you do not see this option, you are not a channel manager and will need to contact ITS.
