Joining a Connections Group

The Group Guest View screen provides general information about a group and provides a link you can use to join the group.

To access a group's guest view page, first access the Group Studio application and then click the Groups Index tab. Use the Groups Index screen to search for a group. The system will display the results of your search on the Group Search Results screen. Click the name of the group you want to join to view the group's guest view page.

Types of Groups

• Public groups. Public groups are open for anyone to join
• Restricted groups. Membership in restricted groups is subject to certain restrictions. For example, to access a group home page for an academic or social fraternity, an individual must first be accepted as a member of that organization.
• Hidden groups. Hidden groups are not displayed in the group category index and do not have a guest view page. Hidden groups are typically used to publish and discuss sensitive information that should not be available even as a restricted group.
  
  

Joining a Public Group

1. Click Join Group on the Guest View screen. You see the Join a Group page.
2. Read the membership policy, and click the check boxes showing you have read and understand Webster's group membership policy and agree to share your username and e-mail address with other group members.
3. Click Join to join the group, or click Cancel to exit without joining.
4. If you choose to join the group, you will see a message stating you have been made a member of the group. The group will now appear in your My Groups index and you will be able to access its member page.

Joining a Restricted Group

1. Click Join Group on the Guest View screen. You see the Join a Group page.
2. Read the membership criteria and verify you meet the criteria.
3. Click the checkboxes showing you have read and understand Webster's group membership policy and agree to share your username and e-mail address with other group members.
4. In the appropriate text entry field, enter the reasons you want to join the group.
5. Click Join to join the group, or click Cancel to exit without joining.
6. If you choose to join the group, you will see a message stating your membership request has been submitted.

Once accepted, the group will appear in your My Groups index and you will be able to access its member page.

Since hidden groups do not have a guest view page, you cannot join a hidden group online. If you are invited to join a hidden group, the system administrator will add your user account to the hidden group and then notify you of your new group membership.