By default, the Blackboard Messages feature is enabled in each course. Students often use the messages feature to try to communicate with their instructor even when the instructor states that they should be contacted by email. The Blackboard mobile app, utilized by many students across campus, emphasizes and makes it easy for students to use the messages feature. The problem occurs if, as faculty, we are not specifically looking for messages within the message feature of each course. If you do not intend to use the Blackboard Messages feature, disable it in each course by:

1. Navigate to the course you want to disable the messages feature in
2. In the Course Management panel, expand the Customization group
3. Click Tool Availability

4. Scroll down until you see Course Messages and uncheck the first box in the row to make it unavailable.

5. Click Submit

Note that this action will need to be taken in each course for which you wish to disable Blackboard Course Messages. Also, be very cautious about what you disable on this page, as disabling certain features may impact other areas of your course.

If you need help with these directions, have any questions, or would like assistance, please contact the HelpDesk by email at or at 828-327-7000 ext. 4444.