Rebecca: This feedback is based on the assumption that you have written the course content and that you will be teaching the course. The universities I serve maintain this practice. There is a master version of the course to which no one except for the System Administrator or the person responsible for implementing changes to the course are allowed access to the master. Almost always, the Course Writer is not the person authorized to make changes as this would require indepth knowledge of the Course Delivery Platform. The request for additions are usually sent for us to implement; unless they are simple additions such as Announcements. This is done to maintain the integrity of the Master. It also helps with implementing changes in a uniform manner to multiple sections of the course. One person makes all, ensures that all are made; so that we do not end up with versions that significantly differ from the master. Institutions practice the kinds of activities you mentioned to maintain consistency in the message they send to their students in their marketing and introductory materials. All things being equal, an Instructor can post their own Discussion questions---in addition to those pre-loaded. This is done when current events arise as the course is being run-----events relevant to the course content----about which an Instructor seeks students' opinions. We incorporate the biography of the Instructor of the course. Instructors can add welcome messages to their Biography-----messages written in a less formal business tone as is done in the scripted welcome letters; the content of which can be more course administration centered than Instructor centered. This is as much as I will sate now without describing course implementing variables in detail. Feel free to ask any further questions on this Subject. It is a very important Question especially when the Course Writer and the Instructor are the same. When they are the same, they want the privilege to do the kinds of things you mentioned. When they are not the same, there is resistance from the Course Writer as he or she does not want his or her course to be altered to the point that different students in different sections of the course receive different learning experiences; or that the course content takes a different slant from that which he or she envisioned. Yes; some Course Writers are very protective; and rightfully so, as their integrity is at stake. Satrohan