Enrolling external users in your Canvas site

There are a variety of reasons why you may need to enroll an external to UMSystem user into your Canvas site. This article describes some common situations and the process to get them added to your site. If you see multiple options for a user example you may choose the route you take based on your needs.

For Registrar courses:

• All roles except Student and Guest require a passing FERPA score.
• All roles except Student, Course Coordinator, Observer, Guest, and Grader can add Zoom meetings to a Canvas course site.
• Users must be added to PeopleSoft via your course scheduler or Registrar's Office. 

For Organization, Development and Non-credit courses:

• All roles may be added using the Canvas Request System.

Types of accounts

Cirrus identity

The external user creates an account using Cirrus identity.
Note: Cirrus accounts may not have Teacher access in Canvas.

Courtesy Account

Your departmental HR representative may create an mail-enabled Courtesy account for the user.
Note: All courtesy accounts must meet the required FERPA and security guidelines prior to gaining access to Canvas.

Guest Account

The department requests a guest account from DoIT.

Methods of adding the user

Canvas Request System (CRS)

How to add the user to your Canvas site using the CRS

Canvas

How to add the user to your Canvas site using Canvas

Email request

Email the Academic Technology team with the follow information.

• Guest account information (provided by DoIT), includes first and last name, guest account id, email address
• Level of access needed
• Courses the account needs to be added to

PeopleSoft

Email your course scheduler or Registrar's Office to get the user added to Peoplesoft.

Examples

Guest Speaker in a registrar course

• Type of Account: Courtesy
• Method: PeopleSoft 
• Level of Access:  Observer

Student test account for instructors

Specific instructions for this process are located here.

• Type of Account: Cirrus
• Method: Canvas Request System 
• Level of Access: student

Access to any non-credit site

Examples include development or organization sites, including allowing access for a retired or graduated user

• Type of Account: Cirrus
• Method: Canvas
• Level of Access: student

or

• Type of Account: Courtesy
• Method: Canvas Request System  or Canvas
• Level of Access: Any

Accrediting agencies in a registrar course

• Type of Account: Guest
• Method: Email Request
  
• Level of Access: Any

Professional reviewers

• Type of Account: Courtesy
• Method: PeopleSoft 
• Level of Access: Any. 

Students and instructors from other institutions participating in study abroad programs 

• This type of guest account must be set up and approved via the registrar. Once the accounts are created send the information to the Academic Technologies team.