Requesting to Join a usergroup
From a normal user screen (after login) on
https://forum.cs.umd.edu,
click on the User CP link on the upper left to access the
User Control Panel.
There's a control panel menu on the left side of the screen. At
the bottom of this control panel, clikc on Group Memberships.
You should be presented with a list of groups available to join,
and any groups to which you already belong. Select the group
you wish to join by selecting its radio button. Then click the
rectangular Join Group button.
If approval is required before joining the group, you will see a notice
indicating that your request is awaiting approval. Once your request
is approved, you will be granted access to whatever portion of the forums
has been restricted to that group.