By default, all users of a course can use the discussion features LON-CAPA 
provides. Only Course Coordinators have the permission to disable course 
discussion for a course. The Course Coordinators can disallow resource 
discussion for specific roles or user. 

1. At the User Role screen, select the role of Course Coordinator for the course.
2. Click PARM on the remote control.
3. At the Set Course Parameters screen, click Set Course Environment.
4. Scroll down to Disallow Resource Discussion for Roles or Disallow Discussion
for User.
5. To disallow Resource Discussion for Roles, enter a comma-separated list of 
roles, for example: st, ts. This will disable course discussion for the 
specified roles. To disallow Discussion for a User, enter username:domain. This 
will disable course discussion for a specific user.
6. Check the set field if not checked.
7. Click Set Course Environment.

These changes take effect the next time the user enters the course.