SYL Status Updates

SYL Known Issues

Last updated 8/24/2026 at 7:00AM

Blackboard integration caution: We firmly believe that we will be able to work with the vendor and correct the Blackboard issues outlined below, but not before the start of the fall 2026 term. Given the current issues, we strongly recommend that if you wish to try out the Blackboard integration, please try the Blackboard integration first. If you are satisfied with the Bb import, then proceed with editing your syllabus. Please note that once Bb data is imported, very little editing or deleting is possible, and the best way to clear out the Bb data is to delete the syllabus and start over to create or copy a new syllabus and then manually enter the assignments and schedule information.

 

Known Blackboard/Blackboard integration issues


Note on solutions: In the below cases, if the possible solution does not work, we recommend that you delete the syllabus and create or copy a new syllabus. Once Bb data is imported very little editing/deleting is possible in SYL. You can try removing the Blackboard ID and see if you can remove the integration, but this does not work consistently.


SYL LTI link in Blackboard not functioning correctly: issues have included the link going to the wrong course, or asking to create a new syllabus when there is a published/approved version, or the LTI link being missing all together. 

  • Possible solution: some faculty have gad success with deleting the LTI link and re-adding it. However the safest option would be for the faculty member to download an "anyone logged in" version of the syllabus from the SYL site (https://nextcatalog.ysu.edu) and post it to their Blackboard course. We would also recommend hiding the SYL LTI link if it is malfunctioning so that students are not confused.

Imported Bb course schedules have errors after November: the vendor informs us that it is an issue with the time change and they are working on a fix. 

  • Possible solution: If you are comfortable informing your students it is a glitch and that you expect the error to be corrected in a week or two, you can wait until a fix is announced and refresh your course connection to Blackboard.

Not all assignments in Blackboard are importing: we determined that this issue is caused by having hidden assignments in Blackboard. 

Attendance points appearing in SYL (when you don’t have attendance points): we believe this is caused by having hidden assignments, but our vendor is also working on a fix. 

  • Possible solution: try unhiding assignments and then reconnecting your Bb course.

Unable to link to Blackboard: Some faculty are reporting that they are unable to import Blackboard data and get an error message; vendor is working on a fix. 

  • Possible solutions: 
    • Check that your course, the course listing, and the Blackboard shell are all on the same part of term (e.g., full term, 1st seven weeks), we have found a few that had that error; 
    • Double check that you have the correct Bb course ID; if you have a stacked Bb course with a parent Bb shell, you have to get a special Bb course ID from IDDC (check the email notification from IDDC when they stacked your courses).

Blackboard integration causes error codes in schedule: the codes look something like “lmslms_1780441_1.” 

  • Solution: this has been largely fixed, and if you refresh your course (the “washing machine” icon at the top), it should correct itself. Some users have reported a few of these error codes are left; you can either let your students know it is a glitch, try refreshing your course, try removing the Bb ID and refreshing, or recreate your syllabus.

Student PDF does not display when attempting to download from SYL: vendor is working on a fix, student still able to see web version. 

  • Possible solution: post a PDF copy of the “anyone logged in” syllabus in the Blackboard course until a fix is found.

 

Known course copy issues


Copying a course causes some items in the schedule to be un-editable: this has included items in the schedule, like old manually inputted due dates, and sometimes Bb error codes (e.g., lmslms_1780441_1). Vendor is working on a fix. 

  • Solutions: no known solution right now, if it is small we suggest just telling your students it’s a glitch, otherwise recommend you delete the syllabus and create or copy a new syllabus.

Copying a course causes the first two weeks of a schedule to “collapse” so that it shifts all the weeks back by one week: Vendor is working on a fix. 

  • Possible solutions: 
    • Try deleting and re-copying the course, as it doesn’t occur every time. 
    • Manually move all the items down by one week to accurately reflect the full term.


Known display issues


Quotation marks not rendering correctly in PDF form: vendor working on a fix, no known solution currently (besides removing quotations marks where possible).

Assignments worth zero points not displaying properly: vendor working on a fix, please clarify the zero points value.