The Gateway page is the first page that users see when accessing Blackboard Learn, unless the administrator opted to bypass the Gateway page.

The Gateway page includes the following functions:

  • Login: Directs the user to the Login page.
  • Course Catalog: Directs the user to the Course Catalog. This function can be removed by the administrator.
  • Create Account: Directs the user to the Create Account page. This function can be turned off by administrators. This button should be turned off unless you want anyone with access to the URL to create accounts.

The Gateway page also includes a default welcome message and image from Blackboard.

Bypass the Gateway Page

If administrators opt to bypass the Gateway page, site visitors are taken directly to the portal as a guest. Portal Direct Entry is available only if your institution has access to community engagement features. Users can then login by selecting Login in the header frame. The Gateway Options page also includes an option for changing the URL that handles user requests for lost passwords.

Customize the buttons on the Gateway Page

Several of the functions on the Gateway page and the Login page can be customized. The Gateway page is the first page users typically see when accessing Blackboard Learn. It can include buttons for creating an account and allowing anyone to browse the catalog.

This option is available in the Original Experience only.

For security and data integrity reasons, it is not recommended that users be allowed to create accounts.

Set Gateway options

On the Administrator Panel, in the Security section, select Gateway Options. The following table describes the options. To learn more about user account lock options, see Account Lock.

Gateway Options
Option Description
Start Page for Users
Start Page

This option is available only if your institution licenses community engagement. Select Tab Page to skip the Gateway page entirely and send site visitors directly to the portal as guests. Users can login using the button in the header frame. If this setting is changed, restart the server to avoid experiencing errors. The Login module may only be turned on if Portal Direct Entry is on.

This option is available in the Original Experience only.
Gateway Functions
Link to Course Catalog Select Enable to display a button that links to the Course Catalog on the Gateway page. Provide a link for an External Catalog URL in the field.
Link to Account Creation Select Enable to display a button on the Gateway page that lets visitors create a user account. The user account is created with an institution role of Student and an admin user role of None.
Lost Password Functions
Request Forgotten Password Select Enable to turn on the link that allows users to request that the password for the account.
URL for Forgotten Password Provide the URL for the link on the login page that allows users to request that their password be mailed to the email address stored in their user information. The default URL is /webapps/blackboard/password.
Guest Access Defaults
Allow Guest Access to the System Select Enable and users who do not have an account (non-authenticated users) may access the system, such as portal areas. Select Disable and users without an account will not have any access to the system.
Allow Guest Access to Courses Select Enable and users who do not have user accounts (non-authenticated users) may access courses on the system. If Disable is selected, Instructors will not be able to make areas in their courses available to guests.
Allow Guest Access to Organizations Select Enable and users who do not have user accounts (non-authenticated users) may access organizations. If Disable is selected, Leaders will not be able to make areas in their organizations available to guests.

Guests and observers are available in the Original Experience only.