ALL USERS: Why can't I see emails sent through Blackboard?

You should first confirm that your professor sent you an email via Blackboard. There is an option to use an internal messaging service called Blackboard Messages, which allows you to send email copies as well. Blackboard provides instructions for how to access Messages. 

✅ Step 1: Confirm the Email Was Sent from Blackboard

  • Blackboard Messages is an internal messaging tool that can also send email copies.

  • Confirm with your professor that they either:

    • Sent a Blackboard Message with email notifications enabled, or

    • Sent an actual email through Blackboard.

  • Learn how to access Blackboard Messages here: (link to instructions if available)

✅ Step 2: Check Outlook's “Focused” vs. “Other” Tabs

Outlook’s Focused Inbox separates emails into Focused and Other tabs. Important messages appear in Focused, but some Blackboard messages may be incorrectly routed to Other—especially if you haven’t been opening them regularly.

Even though BSU has a rule to send Blackboard emails to the Focused tab, Microsoft Outlook can override this rulebased on your behavior (e.g., unread messages being shifted to "Other").

📌 To Keep Blackboard Emails in Focused Inbox:

In Outlook Desktop App:

  • Right-click the Blackboard message

  • Select Always Move to Focused

(Older versions: Right-click > Move > Always Move to Focused)

In Outlook Web (Office 365):

  • Right-click the message

  • Choose Move > Always Move to Focused Inbox

✅ Test It: Send yourself an email from Blackboard and confirm it appears in Focused.

✅ Step 3: Turn Off Focused Inbox (Optional)

If you'd prefer all emails in one view, you can disable Focused Inbox:

Outlook Desktop App:

  1. Log into your Office 365 email.

  2. Click the View tab.

  3. Click Show Focused Inbox to toggle it off.

Outlook Web (Office 365):

  1. Log into your email at outlook.office.com.

  2. Click the Settings icon (⚙️) at the top right.

  3. Under Focused Inbox, select Don’t sort my messages.

  4. Click Save.

✅ Step 4: Check Blackboard Ultra Notification Settings

Students can customize how they receive notifications from Blackboard Ultra:

  • Visit Notification Settings in Blackboard.

  • Choose whether to receive email alerts, push notifications, or view messages in Blackboard only.

  • Instructors may want to remind students to check these settings to ensure they are receiving course updates.

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