DoIT is pleased to announce a new form to help faculty manage their Blackboard course shells with greater efficiency. As part of our ongoing updates to the course creation and enrollment process, announced earlier this year for Summer 2025, this new form simplifies requests to merge or remove Blackboard course shells from the instructor’s Blackboard dashboard.

The new Blackboard Course Merge or Removal form (UMBC login required) allows instructors to:

• Combine multiple courses into one shell for the current term
• Request the removal of unused course shells that you do not plan to use

Faculty who want to merge their courses must submit a request using this form at least one week before the semester starts to ensure timely processing and reduce impact on student learning.

How the form and updated process works

Image 1: The new request form prompts users to indicate whether they would like to merge or remove courses.

The form will automatically open a ticket with the Instructional Technology team to process the request. Most requests are processed fairly quickly, but instructors should allow one business day if tickets are submitted overnight or on weekends. 

Getting more information

To support a smooth transition, Instructional Technology will host an information session about updates to the course creation and enrollment process at the start of the fall semester. We encourage faculty to attend this session to learn more about the new course creation process or share feedback online.

The latest update to our course creation and enrollment process marks another step toward greater self-service for faculty. Additionally, the functional changes lay the necessary groundwork for future integrations required for grade export from Blackboard to PeopleSoft. Continued refinements are expected based on faculty feedback and ongoing development planned by DoIT to provide improved automation. 

Overall Series Description:

The Building Bridges Across Difference: A Dialogue for Every Day series equips faculty, staff, and students with practical tools to foster connection and understanding across differences in today’s polarized climate. Grounded in the Center for Social Justice Dialogue's commitment to shared power and inclusive practices, this series provides strategies to build trust, navigate challenging and emotionally charged moments, and create environments that encourage community and mutual respect. By embracing intergroup dialogue practices daily, participants will enhance their ability to inspire critical self-reflection, cultural storytelling, generous listening, and loving accountability.

All sessions will take place on Wednesdays from 11:30 - 1:30 pm and will be held VIRTUALLY.

If you have accessibility needs, please email csjdialogue@umbc.edu.

Session Descriptions:

1. Exploring Socialization and Liberation, 9/17

RSVP: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/csjd/events/143931
From childhood to the workplace, we are influenced by powerful cultural and institutional messages that shape our understanding of who we are and how we relate to others. In this session, we’ll engage the Cycles of Socialization and Liberation to examine how these messages shape our perspectives and behaviors. Participants will reflect on their own socialization and explore ways to move toward more equitable and liberatory practices.

2. Understanding Identity in Community, 10/15

RSVP: https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/csjd/events/143932
Each of us brings a unique set of identities to our roles on campus, some are visible, while others are less so. This session uses an identity chart activity to explore how our identities influence our experiences, relationships, and sense of belonging at UMBC. Together, we’ll build a shared understanding of power, privilege, and difference, and explore what each of us can do about it at UMBC.