Canvas organization sites are custom-created academic sites not associated with a course in the registrar's listing. Organization leaders should use Canvas if they need functionality typically associated with academic courses, such as online quizzes, discussion boards, and announcements. Announcements, in particular, may be useful, as that feature presents a reverse-chronological list of notices sent out to the group, which can sometimes become lost in recipients’ email inboxes. Those who only need to share documents should explore other options, such as a departmental UChicago Box account, Google Workspace, or Microsoft 365.

Faculty and staff can use the Organization Site Request Form to create a Canvas Organization Site. Step-by-step instructions on how to fill out the form are included in this document. Students who need a website for their student organizations should use Blueprint (see the Center for Leadership and Involvement website for details); Council on Advanced Studies (CAS) workshop leaders should contact UChicagoGrad for information. Students who have questions about creating a Canvas organization site, or whose needs go beyond a Registered Student Organization (RSO) or CAS workshop, should contact the IT Services Canvas Support Team.

Create a Canvas Organization Site

1. Open your internet browser to the Organization Site Request Form.
2. Sign in with your CNetID and password. If you don't have an active session, you'll be redirected to the UChicago Single Sign-On page. Complete the two-factor authentication process if prompted.
3. Once you're signed in, you'll see the organization course site request form. Fill in all fields marked with an asterisk. You may also enter a course description if you wish. When finished, select Review.
   
   
   • When choosing the site's Academic Unit for the Organization Site, you can enter a search term (e.g. Graham School) in the search bar at the top of the drop-down menu to expedite your search, or you can scroll through the drop-down menu to find the correct unit.
     
   • If you select Other as the Academic Unit, Organization Site Description will become a required field.
     
   • If you select No to indicate that you are not the intended site leader (if you are requesting the site for someone else), the form will prompt you for the first and last name and CNetID of the primary site leader.
     
4. Review the course information. If any information needs to be changed, select Modify; otherwise, select Finish and wait for the confirmation page to load.
   
5. The confirmation page will tell you that your site is being created. When the site creation is complete, you'll receive an email telling you where to find your new organization site.
   
6. Edit your organization site in Canvas. For guidance, refer to the Course Setup Checklist found on the right side of the Home Page.
   
7. Once you're ready to have others view the site, log in to Canvas and go to your organization's site. From the Home page, you'll see Course Status. Select Publish.
   

Add Leaders, Assistants, or Participants

You may add leaders (teachers), assistants (TAs), and participants (students) to your organization site. Information on how to make these additions in this Canvas documentation:

• Canvas Roles & Permissions

• Canvas Guide: How do I add users to a course?