How do I close the comments feature?

[Julieson87]

I see a lot of others asking this same question, so I know it is a common problem. How can we get Canvas to allow us to close the comments feature?  These are the main problems that I have:  

1.  I have strict no-late work policies (I drop the lowest grades instead).  Students are under the false impression that they can submit late work in the comments section.  They should not be able to work around the end date for my assignments.  

2.  Students send too many frivolous comments like, "thank you,"  "alright," and "okay."  They expect that I will see all of these comments but they only waste valuable time that I do not have for such meaningless comments.  

Please, please allow us to turn this off.  Faculty have clearly been trying to do so for years on this forum.  

[SusanNiemeyer]

Hi @Julieson87, 

While I don't think you can turn off "submission comments," here is how I handle them:

1. I turn off "notifications" for comments. I only receive notifications for Inbox Messages. That's it.
2. I refuse to grade anything that is not properly submitted on Canvas. I will not grade work submitted as "comments" or sent to me via email or as an Inbox Message. 
3. I rarely ever respond to the comments, and once I'm done grading, I never go back and read them.
4. I tell my students that if they have questions or concerns, they must send me an Inbox Message. I will read and respond to Inbox Messages (or emails) only.