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How to Login to Blackboard

All users (Cal Poly faculty, staff, and students) login to Blackboard through the My CalPoly Portal (http://my.calpoly.edu).

All Cal Poly members (faculty & students), with the default layout for the portal, will have the Blackboard Access channel within the Main tab. Staff who are not registered in or teaching a course may not have this tab.

My Cal Poly Potal Main tab

If you do not have a the Blackboard Access channel on the Main tab go to bottom of the page for instructions.

NOTE: There cannot be more than one Blackboard Access channel. If there is you will not be able to login and would see a Blackboard login page with the word null on it.

1) URL http://my.calpoly.edu
2) Type your Cal Poly Username and Password in the top left sign in box. Username is your Cal Poly email address (dsmith@calpoly.edu), and your Central UNIX password.
3) Click on the Login button.
4) Locate the Blackboard Access channel, within the Main tab, and click on the Blackboard link to access a Blackboard course.

Note: E-Permits, Wait Lists & Class Lists are not provided through Blackboard. Blackboard is a completely different application and server. The Portal just links to the Blackboard system.

Blackboard Access channel screen image  

The Blackboard Access channel displays a personalized list of courses for each user. Links are provided for both instructors and students and are listed under "Courses You are Teaching / Course You are Taking. " Each course link will take the user directly to the Blackboard course entry page without the need to provide any additional identification. If there is a Red X unavailable icon after the link, then the Blackboard course is not available for students. Only courses with the Green arrow available icon are available to students. All courses are available to the instructors no matter which icon is shown.

You may access this channel in one of 3 ways:

1) Click on the Main tab. The Blackboard Access channel will be displayed in the left-hand column.

2) If you do not see the Blackboard Access channel, you can revert your portal layout to the default layout; however, you will lose any customization of portal tabs and channels that you have made.

To revert to the default layout:

1) Click on the Customize button at the top center of this window
2) Click Revert to default layout link
3) Click the OK button and wait a few seconds. Your portal layout will change back to the original layout
4) Click on the [ <- ] User Preferences link in the top left corner

3) If you do not want to revert back to the default portal layout, you can subscribe to the new Blackboard Access channel in your current layout. To do so...

1) Click on the Customize link at the top right-hand corner of this window

Screen image of the Customize button.

2) Click on a New Channel button

Screen image of the Add Channel button

3) Select the Blackboard Access text

User Prefferences, Blackboard Access channel screen image
4) Click the Add Channel button
5) Click on the [ <- ] User Preferences link in the top left corner

More Information

Instructor

Q: I am an instructor and I still cannot login to the Portal.
A: If you are still unsure of your Central UNIX password or continue to have problems with login, try resetting your password.

Q: What is my Cal Poly username and password for the Portal?
A: Your Cal Poly username is your Cal Poly email address (ex: dsmith@calpoly.edu). Your Cal Poly password is your Central UNIX password. The Central UNIX password is the same password used to login to Cal Poly email. If you need assistance with your username and password, please contact the Service Desk (756-7000, servicedesk@calpoly.edu).

Student

Q: I am a student and I still cannot login to the Portal.
A: If you don't yet have a password or can't remember your password, you can still activate or reset your UNIX and Openmail accounts by using the guest-accessible instance of the Password Manager. To do so, go to: the Cal Poly Password Manager and Follow the on-screen instructions to continue.

Q: What is my Cal Poly username and password for the Portal?
A: Your Cal Poly username is your Cal Poly email address (ex: dsmith@calpoly.edu). Your Cal Poly password is your Central UNIX password.

Q: After I have added/dropped a course, how long will it take before Blackboard is updated?
A: Once you have added or dropped a course in CPReg, Blackboard will be updated within 24 hours (M-F) or less.

Q: Why do I need to add the Blackboard Access channel?
A: If you do not already have the channel (scroll down and look), by adding the Blackboard Access channel you will have access to any of the features provided by Blackboard. If you do not add the Blackboard Access channel or if it is not already there by default, then you cannot access your Blackboard courses.

If you have questions, feel free to email or call the ITS Service Desk at (756-7000).