Blackboard Original Overview | Transition to Ultra

In August 2024, CMU transitioned from Blackboard Original to Blackboard Ultra, and as part of the transition process course content was migrated from existing Blackboard Original shells to Blackboard Ultra shells. However, the Blackboard Original shells still exist, although they cannot be actively used for instructional purposes, and many still contain course content and other materials.

Blackboard Original shells will reach ‘end of life’ on May 15, 2026 and, at that time, will no longer be available to you to access content. Any content residing in a Blackboard Original shell you wish to retain must be either exported and saved to your computer or migrated to a new Blackboard Ultra shell prior to this date. After May 15, 2026, Blackboard Original shells will no longer be accessible. 

ACTIONS YOU MAY NEED TO TAKE

Course Shell Content

If you have course content in a Blackboard Original shell that you wish to retain you can either:

1. Export the content into a Zip File and save it to your computer for later use.
2. Migrate the content to a new Ultra shell. If you need a Blackboard Ultra shell to migrate content to, you may request a ‘sandbox shell’ from the CMU Help Desk.

Special Purpose Shells

For Blackboard Original shells that are used for reasons other than teaching (e.g. training, orientation, program majors/minors, workshops, etc.), these shells must be migrated to a Blackboard Ultra shell prior to the May 15, 2026 deadline date. If you need a new Blackboard Ultra shell created for a special purpose shell, please submit a Special Purpose Shell Request.