Groups

Faculty, staff, and students with administrative permissions can use the Groups feature to create and manage user groups. Users who are not group administrators can join groups to interact with and keep track of announcements and discussions.   

The Groups feature can be accessed from the Browse tab of the Illinois app. Users who are not signed in with their NetID will not see any Groups listed. Sign in with your NetID to ensure visibility of all available features.  

Content Policy: Content posted to the Illinois app is governed by the Student Code of the University of Illinois. Content that violates the standards set forth in the code will be removed. Users may report content in violation of the Student Code to the Office of the Dean of Students. deanofstudents@illinois.edu 

Required Settings

1. In the Browse menu, tap the Groups > All Groups tile to open the Groups feature.  
2. Tap Create +.
3. Tap Add Cover Image to designate an image that describes the group.  
4. Tap Use Url to use a link to an image from a website or Choose from Device to upload a photo from your own photo gallery.  
5. Type a unique name that describes the group into the Name Your Group field.  
6. Type a detailed description of the group into the Description field.  
7. Select a category that describes the group from the Group Category drop-down menu.  
   Note: Selecting a Group Category is required, but you may choose Other if none of the categories accurately describe the group you are creating.  
8. Optional: Tap Tags to browse the list of topic tags that further describe the group. Check as many tags as you need. You may search for specific tags by typing in the search bar at the top of the screen.  
9. Select the level of privacy from the Privacy drop-down menu. Only members of a group can view events and posts on a private group. Public groups are visible to non-members. 
10. Optional: Tap Membership Questions to create a questionnaire for group member requests. 
    Note: Questions do not need a correct answer. They should aim to learn more about the prospective member before granting them access to a group.
11. Review your group description and tap Create Group to finalize the new group.  

When you create a group, you have many settings options. This section explains what some of the settings do.

1. Tap the Groups tile to open the Groups feature.  
2. Tap the All Groups tab to view a list of all available groups.  
3. Tap the magnifying glass to type in a search query.  
4. Type in the title of the group.  
5. Locate the group you searched for in the list of results and then tap the group name.  
   Note: If the group you are looking for does not appear, ensure that you have the correct group title and spelling. Private groups are case-sensitive and will only appear in a search result if the query matches the group title and its capitalization exactly.   
6. Tap Request to join. The group admin will need to approve your request.  

1. Tap the Groups tile to open the Groups feature.  
2. Tap the My Groups tab to view a list of groups in which you are a member. 
3. Tap the name of a group to which you want to post a message.  
4. Scroll down to Posts, and tap the plus sign (+) to create a new message.  
5. Enter a short title that describes your message in the Subject field.  
6. Type in your message in the Write a Post… field.  
   Note: You can change the font style to Bold, Italic, and Underlined by tapping the B, I, and U buttons above the post field. Tap Link to include a hyperlink with link text.  
7. Tap Send when you are finished composing the message.  

1. Tap the Groups tile to open the Groups feature. 
2. Tap the My Groups tab to view a list of groups in which you are a member. 
3. Tap the name of the group that you want to open.  
4. Scroll down to posts and browse the visible list of messages.  
5. Tap Show Older to view more messages if you cannot find the one you need.  
6. Tap the box with the message that you want to open.  
7. Tap the arrow in the upper right corner of the screen or scroll down to the Write a Reply… field.  
8. Enter your response to the message in the field.  
   Note: As with messages, you can change the font style to Bold, Italic, and Underlined by tapping the B, I, and U buttons above the post field. Tap Link to include a hyperlink with link text. 
9. Tap Send when you are finished composing the message. Your reply will show in a thread under the original message.  

1. Tap the Groups tile to open the Groups feature.  
2. Tap the My Groups tab to view a list of groups in which you are a member. 
3. Tap the name of the group that you want to open. 
4. Scroll down to Upcoming Events and tap the plus sign (+) to create a new event.  
5. Choose from the list of two options:
   • Tap Create New Event to create a new event from scratch. 
   • Tap Add Existing Event to add an event to the group that is already on the Illinois app Events calendar. See the instructions to Add an Existing Event to a Group. 
6. Tap Add Event Image to choose an image from a URL or from your own device to add to the event description.  
7. Select an Event Category that best describes the event from the drop-down menu.  
8. Enter an Event Title that is both brief and descriptive. The title cannot exceed 64 characters.  
9. Enter a description of the event under Description. Describe activities, purpose, and points of interest.  
10. Choose the Time Zone that matches the location where the event will be held.  
11. Enter a Start Date and a Start Time as well as an End Date and End Time.  
12. If the event takes place all day over one or several days, turn on the All Day switch. You will be given the option to select only a Start Date and an End Date, but no Start or End Time. 
13. Tap Make this an online event if this event will only take place in a virtual setting.  
    Note: Do not select this option for hybrid events as you will not be given an option to enter a physical location.  
14. Enter an Event Address or an Online Event Link depending on whether this event will occur online or in person.  
15. Enter a URL that points to a registration page in the Add Link for Registration field. If registration for this event is not required, leave this field blank.  
16. Enter a URL that points to the event website. This link may point to a website, a flyer, or a social media event page. If the event does not have a related webpage, leave this field blank. 
17. Activate the switch labeled Is This Event Free if the event does not require payment to attend.  
18. Enter a Cost Description or leave the field blank if the event does not require payment.  
19. Choose a level of Visibility from the drop-down menu.
    • Tap Private if the event should be made visible only to Group members.  
    • Tap Public if the event should be made visible to all Illinois app users.  
20. Tap Create Event to finish creating the new event.  

1. Tap the Groups tile to open the Groups feature.  
2. Tap the My Groups tab to view a list of groups in which you are a member. 
3. Tap the name of the group that you want to open. 
4. Scroll down to Upcoming Events and tap the plus sign (+) to create a new event.  
5. Choose from the list of two options:
   • Tap Add Existing Event to add an event to the group that is already on the Illinois app Events calendar.  
   • Tap Create New Event to create a new event from scratch. See the instructions to Create a New Group Event.  
6. Choose an event from the Illinois app calendar that you want to add to your Group.  
7. Tap the event on the list and then tap Add Event to Group. The event will now be visible on the Group home screen.  
8. To remove the event from your group, simply tap the ellipses (…) in the upper right corner of the event card on the Group home screen and then tap Remove Group Event. 

1. Tap Browse to enter the Browse menu.  
2. Tap the Groups tile.  
3. Tap the name of any group under My Groups to enter the space.  
   Note: You can only create Polls for groups you have joined.  
4. Tap Polls from the row of buttons under the group title or scroll down to the Polls section. 
5. Tap the plus sign (+) to start a new Poll.   
6. Follow the instructions to Create a New Poll.