FACULTY: How do I prevent students from messaging me via Blackboard

Not interested in Blackboard Messages? Change your Settings

If you’d rather have students contact you via BSU email instead of using Blackboard Messages, you can easily adjust the communication settings in your course.

How to Update Messaging Settings in Blackboard Ultra

  1. Log in to your Blackboard Ultra course.

  2. Click Course Settings (gear icon in the upper-right corner).

  3. Under Course Messages:

    • Leave the green checkmark next to “Allow course messages” enabled.

    • Select the radio button for “Students can only reply to messages”.

image of the course settings showing where you can change message settings for the course.

If you’d rather have students contact you via BSU email instead of using Blackboard Messages, you can easily adjust the communication settings in your course.

How to Update Messaging Settings in Blackboard Ultra

  1. Log in to your Blackboard Ultra course.

  2. Click Course Settings (gear icon in the upper-right corner).

  3. Under Course Messages:

    • Leave the green checkmark next to “Allow course messages” enabled.

    • Select the radio button for “Students can only reply to messages”.

This setting allows you to initiate communication if needed, but prevents students from starting new message threads—encouraging them to contact you via BSU email instead.

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