Messaging

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Overview

Campus Messaging provides secure, private communication channels for direct conversations and group discussions. Whether you’re coordinating with a research partner, discussing a group project, or reaching out to a professor, messaging keeps your conversations organized and accessible.

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Understanding Message Threads

All messages in Campus are organized into threads:

• Direct Messages: One-on-one conversations between two users
• Group Threads: Conversations with multiple participants

Threads maintain conversation history and context, making it easy to follow discussions over time.

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Viewing Your Messages

Access your messages from the main navigation:

1. Click Messages in the top menu
2. View your list of conversation threads
3. See preview text and timestamps
4. Unread messages appear highlighted

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Thread List Information

Each thread displays:

• Participant names: Who’s in the conversation
• Last message preview: Snippet of the most recent message
• Timestamp: When the last message was sent
• Thread type indicator: Direct or group conversation
• Member count: For group threads

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Starting Conversations

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Direct Messages

1. Navigate to the Messages page
2. Click New Conversation
3. Search for the user you want to message
4. Select them from the results
5. Type your message and press Send

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Group Conversations

Create multi-participant threads:

1. Click New Conversation
2. Select multiple participants
3. Give your group thread a name (optional)
4. Send your first message to start the conversation

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Sending Messages

Once you’re in a thread:

1. Type your message in the composer at the bottom
2. Press Enter or click Send
3. Your message appears in the timeline immediately
4. Messages are delivered to all thread participants

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Message Features

• Text content: Plain text messages
• Real-time updates: New messages appear automatically
• Timestamps: Every message shows when it was sent
• Sender identification: Profile pictures and names

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Thread Interface

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Message Timeline

The main conversation area shows:

• All messages in chronological order
• Sender information for each message
• Timestamps for temporal context
• Visual grouping by sender

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Thread Header

The top of each thread displays:

• Thread name: For group threads, or participant name for direct messages
• Member count: Number of participants
• Thread type icon: User icon (direct) or group icon (group)
• Status badges: Locked status if applicable
• Back button: Return to thread list

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Message Composer

The bottom area includes:

• Text input field
• Send button
• Character count (if limits apply)
• Disabled state for locked threads

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Thread Types

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Direct Messages

Type: direct One-on-one conversations:

• Only two participants
• Thread name derived from participants
• Private between the two users
• Cannot add additional participants

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Group Threads

Type: group Multi-participant conversations:

• Three or more members
• Optional custom thread name
• Member list visible to participants
• Organizers can manage membership

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Real-Time Updates

Messages update automatically through polling:

• New messages appear without refreshing
• Check for updates every 5 seconds
• Auto-scroll when you’re near the bottom
• Stay in position if you’re reading older messages

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Message Moderation

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Flagging Messages

Report inappropriate content:

1. Hover over a message
2. Click the flag icon
3. Select a reason for flagging
4. Submit your report

Moderators will review flagged messages.

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Thread Locking

Moderators can lock threads:

• Locked threads prevent new messages
• Useful for ending disputes or archived discussions
• Participants can still read message history
• Lock icon appears in the thread header

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Privacy and Security

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Access Control

• Only authenticated users can access messaging
• You can only view threads you’re a member of
• Message content is private to thread participants
• Cannot search other users’ messages

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Participant Restrictions

Creating threads:

• Must be authenticated
• Can select any Campus user as a participant

Viewing threads:

• Must be a thread member
• Cannot view threads you’re not part of

Sending messages:

• Must be a thread member
• Thread must not be locked

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Data Retention

• Messages are stored indefinitely
• Deleted threads remove all messages
• Individual messages cannot be deleted (currently)
• Users can leave threads without deleting history

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Managing Threads

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Leaving Conversations

1. Open the thread
2. Click thread options (three dots)
3. Select Leave conversation
4. Confirm your decision

After leaving:

• The thread disappears from your list
• Other participants remain in the conversation
• You can be re-added by other members

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Thread Settings

Group thread creators can:

• Rename the thread
• Add or remove participants
• Lock or unlock the thread (moderators only)

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Notifications

Messaging notifications include:

• New message indicators
• Unread message counts
• Visual highlights for active threads

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Use Cases

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Academic Collaboration

Research Partners

• Discuss project progress
• Share preliminary findings
• Coordinate meetings and deadlines

Student Study Groups

• Ask and answer homework questions
• Organize study sessions
• Share notes and resources

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Course Communication

Students and Instructors

• Office hour scheduling
• Clarification on assignments
• Feedback discussions

Teaching Assistants

• Grade inquiries
• Lab session coordination
• Individual student support

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Administrative Coordination

Department Staff

• Event planning
• Policy questions
• Resource allocation

Committee Members

• Meeting preparation
• Document review
• Decision-making discussions

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Best Practices

Thread Naming

• Use descriptive names for group threads
• Include project or topic identifiers
• Update names as purposes change
• Example: “CS 101 Final Project - Team 5”

Message Etiquette

• Keep messages professional and respectful
• Use proper grammar and punctuation
• Avoid all-caps (shouting)
• Respond in a timely manner

Organization

• Create separate threads for different topics
• Use group threads for team projects
• Direct message for one-on-one matters
• Leave threads you’re no longer part of

Privacy Considerations

• Don’t share sensitive information
• Verify participants before sending
• Use email for official communications
• Remember threads can be reviewed by moderators

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Troubleshooting

Messages not appearing?

• Refresh the page
• Check your internet connection
• Ensure you’re in the correct thread

Cannot send messages?

• Verify the thread isn’t locked
• Confirm you’re still a thread member
• Check if you’re authenticated

Missing threads?

• Search for the participant’s name
• Check if you left the thread accidentally
• Verify the other user is still active

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Accessibility Features

• Keyboard navigation for thread list
• Screen reader support for messages
• Focus management in modals
• ARIA labels for interactive elements
• High contrast mode compatible

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Planned Features

Upcoming messaging enhancements:

• Rich text formatting
• File attachments
• Message reactions (emoji)
• Message search within threads
• Read receipts
• Typing indicators
• WebSocket real-time delivery
• Push notifications