The start date should not be changed and instructors should not be allowed to change it. The start date in Blackboard should be the official start date in ISIS. The only exception to earlier start dates are the online MBA classes: “I talked with Marion Dunagan in WCOB Graduate Programs about this and it appears that these programs are a legitimate exception. They have also done it this way because they have a limited number of Saturdays they meet and the first one is an orientation session on the Saturday before classes begin. They want the students to already have access to their materials before then. So, I support opening the class the week before for these MBA programs, but the rule of thumb should be the process you’re using with the start time set for the day before classes begin.” Instructor privileges have been set in Blackboard to not allow the ability to change the course duration (dates), but instructors do have the ability to make their courses Available or Unavailable (default is Available). The reason for this is so that students do not have access to courses that start the second session, but may still get added into those courses in Blackboard.]]>
