Requesting a CalGroups Folder Space

To use CalGroups, you must first request a folder space via the CalGroups Service Request Form. You can also use this link to request the modification or deletion of an existing space.

Folder Types

Depending on your requirements, CalNet will create your folder under one of two main branches:

• Applications: For groups that will be bound to a specific application with broad campus use.
• Organizations: For general-purpose departmental groups (e.g., controlling access to a staff-only website or a departmental tool).

CalGroups Administrative Roles

Each department should designate a CalGroups Departmental Admin—someone responsible for managing technology assets. Within your departmental folder, an App/Org Owner group will be created. Members of this group have the following privileges:

• Add other owners.
• Create, update, or delete subfolders.
• Create, update, or delete groups.
• Add and delete group members.
• Manage group member privileges.

See Managing CalGroup Privileges (KB0015281) for more information.

Naming Conventions and Hierarchy

CalGroups follows a hierarchical structure. When your group is eventually synced to Google Groups or Active Directory (AD), it will be organized according to its place in the CalGroups tree.

Example: A group named "CalGroup-Test" located under Organizations > CalNet > Coordinator will reflect that full path in the system hierarchy.

Managing Your Folder Admin Group

Your folder space will be created with an Admin group named XXXX-admin (where XXXX is your folder name). Access to your folder and everything inside it is controlled by membership in this group.

How to Add Additional Admins

1. Navigate to your XXXX-admin group and click the Member tab.
2. Click the Add Members button.
3. Ensure the Default Privileges radial button is selected.
4. Search for the member by name or email address and select them.
5. Click Add.

Note: You cannot add members to the admin group with custom privileges; all members have full rights by default.

Using Your Folder Space

You can create subfolders and groups within your space. For step-by-step instructions on daily usage, refer to the CalGroups User Guide (KB0015432) and Tips for Folder Owners (KB0015451).

Technical Integration: API and LDAP

You can automate your groups using an LDAP bind (to read data) or an API (to populate groups from external sources):

• CalGroups API Information for Developers (KB0015279)
• Using an LDAP Bind with CalGroups (KB0015452)

Account Lifecycles: Expired Users and Alumni

• Expired Users: When a user's campus affiliation ends, they are automatically removed from CalGroups. If they are later reinstated, they will rejoin official campus groups, but Ad Hoc group memberships must be manually restored.
• Alumni: When users move to the Alumni OU, they are removed from official groups but remain in groups that specifically allow alumni. To add alumni to your specific folder, contact calnet-admin@berkeley.edu.

Support

If you have questions about CalGroups, folder setup, or technical integrations, please contact calnet-admin@berkeley.edu.