The Gustavus.edu Discussions
Get and send email postings to other Raymondites. This is a free-roaming discussion list made available by Karen Larsen. You'll use your own prefered email account to post messages and read those from other Raymond community members. To sign up for posting permission and forwarding of new posts, send a message using your prefered email to and ask her to sign you up. This is a great way to stay in contact with old friends as well as make a few new ones.
If you are interested in Raymond College announcements only, contact for inclusion on the "raymondcollegeinfo-at-gac.edu" email list.
Blackboard Instructional System
This system, hosted by UOP and designed to facilitate on-line discussions related to course work, has been restructured as a variety of individual forums on topics ranging from forthcoming events to literature to politics. Raymond College has been set up as a "course" so that members of the Raymond community may log on to the Blackboard system and participate in discussions of their own.
Creating a User Account on Blackboard
1. Click through to the UOP Blackboard home page. Once in the Blackboard system click the Create Account button.
2. Complete fields marked with a red asterisk (basically, your name, email, and whatever Username and Password you like). Other fields can be updated at a later time, or left blank.
3. Scroll or Tab to the bottom of the page and click the Submit button. You should then receive a User Information Added message
4. Click the OK button, and you will gain access to the Blackboard system.
Enrolling in a Course (Note: Raymond College Alumni discussion area is considered a "course" by the Blackboard system. Ignore the course terminology and follow the instructions below.)
1. Although you now have a Blackboard account, you will have to specifically sign up (enroll) in the Raymond discussion area before accessing it.
2. Click the black Courses tab at the top of the page to display the Course List. If you have not previously used the Blackboard system your Course List will be blank. Locate the course named "Raymond College".
3. Click on that link, and a screen will appear showing a single Course, "Raymond College Alumni". Click the Enroll button to the right of the course name to display the Self Enrollment page.
4. Then click the Submit button to receive a Receipt: Success message.
5. Click the OK button and the process is complete.
Operating the User Environment
1. Each time you log in to Blackboard, you should start at the main login page per the URL above. There is no way to go directly to a "course" from a bookmark. You have to login first, then you'll be able to choose the Raymond College discussion. The process of logging into Blackboard and then into Raymond discussion only takes 10-15 seconds once you are signed up and enrolled. Since you'll only be "enrolled" in the Raymond discussion group, that will be the only link in your "course list".
2. The Personal Information link on the left will allow you to modify your personal information, including changing your password.
Participating in a Discussion
1. After you have reached the Raymond College Alumni "course" page click on the "Discussions" button on the left of the screen and you will be taken to a page that lists the available discussions (a.k.a. "Forums"). Click on the discussion group you wish to enter. You may then read the posted comments and enter your own comments.
2. Click on the Tools button on the left side of the screen for access to a complete on-line Manual on the Blackboard system.
Help
Problems once on Blackboard? Use Blackboard's email feature to email any of the moderators: Nancy Bovee, John Dyer, Jinx McComb, Terry Mullins, Tom Preece, Bob Sullens, John Williams. Or post a question in the "Technical Glitches" forum.
Living in the Raymond Community
Every Community needs to establish some rules of behavior by which we agree to live. When you enter the discussion groups you will see a group devoted to creating those rules. There is an initial proposal for rules. Feel free to join this conversation and contribute to the developing consensus.