Getting Started Guide

Getting Started on AASUA's Community Site

Get the most out of the features our community site has to offer by following these steps. If you have additional questions that are not covered in this guide, please see our FAQ page. 

Log in:

Your login credentials should be the same as your credentials for aasua.ca. When you go to the main web page click “Sign in.” You can reset your password by clicking on the “Forgot Password” link. If you are having trouble, or unsure what email is linked to your account, go to our Help page. 

Once you've logged in, if you prefer, you can download a video tutorial explaining much of what's below here. 

Profile set-up:

Profile that users can edit and fill out if they choose.

After you log in, navigate to the icon beside the community search bar at the top right of the site. From there, you can click on your profile and begin customizing it by filling out your bio and other information if you choose. 

You can customize your profile picture by clicking the actions dropdown menu at the top left of the page. 

In the navigation bar, click My Account to set up how you want to receive emails from your communities, how much of your profile you want visible to other members, design the signature area that appears under your discussion posts, and more. 

Email delivery options:

You can choose how often you receive emails notifying you about posts in your community. All groups, such as the Members' Forum, are opt-in communities, so as a default you will not be notified of discussions taking place. If you would like a daily or weekly digest, you can check these options to receive timely updates straight to your inbox. A daily digest will send a single email each day summarizing topics explored in your community, and a weekly digest will notify you each week. You can also choose to be informed of discussions in real time — this is the default setting for committees you belong to, such as the Equity and Diversity Committee. 

Join the conversation

Layout of the example community.

Posting a message:

  1. Select a community you belong to and go to the “Discussion” under the community name. Click the blue “Post New Message” button in the top right to post.

    Screenshot of discussion board where members can choose to post.

  2. You can upload attachments (attachments will automatically be added to the community library).
  3. You can @mention specific AASUA members. 

Note that you can save a draft of the post. The system will also automatically start saving your message once you begin adding content. You can schedule a post to go live at a certain time. To access your scheduled posts and drafts, go to Profile > My Contributions > List of Contributions. 

Reply to a discussion:

There are options for how you can reply to a discussion. You can:

  • Reply: Reply to the entire thread.
  • Reply Privately: Sends a private response to the member’s inbox on the community site.
  • Mark as Inappropriate: If a member’s post clearly violates the AASUA Community Rules, you can flag it to be reviewed by AASUA’s Executive Director. 

Share a resource

If you are on the community homepage, you can access the library by clicking on the Library tab.

*You will notice that there are two different ways to view the community library content (list or folder). The default view is the folder view. Use the icons to switch the view.

To add a new library item select "Create New Library Entry". Complete the required fields on the library entry form: Title, Library, Description, Entry Type. Based on the Entry type you select you will need to take additional steps after you select next.

What now?

  • Ask questions: What do you want to know more about at the university? Has something come up that you’re unfamiliar with? There’s someone out there with the answer. Use the Members’ Forum to ask.
  • Share ideas: Is there a hot topic you want to discuss? How about a lesson you’ve learned that might help your fellow members? Start a discussion thread in the Members’ Forum. 
  • Give feedback: Use your knowledge and experience to answer other members’ questions. Just click Reply to the right of any discussion post, or comment underneath a library entry.
  • Get involved: Don't see many communities on your list? Discussions are ongoing in AASUA’s committees. Join one to get more involved.
  • View our FAQ page: Still have questions? Learn more about how the site works on our FAQ page.