diff --git a/sections/sections-app-util/src/bundle/sections.properties b/sections/sections-app-util/src/bundle/sections.properties
index 7b8fd39e673c..80994b93c0e4 100644
--- a/sections/sections-app-util/src/bundle/sections.properties
+++ b/sections/sections-app-util/src/bundle/sections.properties
@@ -152,4 +152,13 @@ add_section_successful={0} {1} been successfully created\!  You may now assign T
 edit_student_sections_instructions=To assign this student to a section, click Assign. \
 You may only assign a student to one section within each category. \
 If the student is already a member of a section in a category, they wil be removed \
-from that section if you assign them to a new section.
\ No newline at end of file
+from that section if you assign them to a new section.
+#
+# Control closed sections
+#
+section_close_title=Section Tool Closed
+section_close_desc=This tool is closed. You will be able to access the sections tool at the date and time your faculty specified.
+section_close_opendate=Open Date:
+section_open_info=Close sections tool for students until Open Date:
+section_refresh_info=Refresh the page to see the groups after the due date.
+error_date_format=Error with the Date/Time format
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/sections/sections-app-util/src/bundle/sections_ca.properties b/sections/sections-app-util/src/bundle/sections_ca.properties
index 3d4ab17b869a..b282aa81830c 100644
--- a/sections/sections-app-util/src/bundle/sections_ca.properties
+++ b/sections/sections-app-util/src/bundle/sections_ca.properties
@@ -142,4 +142,13 @@ section_start_time=Hora d'inici
 student_view_instructions_switch=Per canviar de secci\u00F3, a l'enlla\u00E7 "canvia", feu clic a sobre de la secci\u00F3 a la qual us vulgueu despla\u00E7ar.  Sortireu autom\u00E0ticament de la secci\u00F3 actual d'aquest tipus de secci\u00F3.
 student_view_header_time=Temps/Dies
 add_section_successful={0} {1} s'han creat satisfact\u00F2riament\!  Ara podeu assignar AP i alumnes a la {2} escollint els enlla\u00E7os de la secci\u00F3.
-edit_student_sections_instructions=Per assignar aquest alumne a la secci\u00F3, feu clic a Assigna. Nom\u00E9s podeu assignar un alumne a una secci\u00F3 dins de cada categoria. Si l'alumne ja \u00E9s membre d'una secci\u00F3 en una categoria, ser\u00E0 suprimit d'aquella secci\u00F3 si l'assigna a una nova secci\u00F3.
\ No newline at end of file
+edit_student_sections_instructions=Per assignar aquest alumne a la secci\u00F3, feu clic a Assigna. Nom\u00E9s podeu assignar un alumne a una secci\u00F3 dins de cada categoria. Si l'alumne ja \u00E9s membre d'una secci\u00F3 en una categoria, ser\u00E0 suprimit d'aquella secci\u00F3 si l'assigna a una nova secci\u00F3.
+#
+# Control closed sections
+#
+section_close_title=Aplicaci\u00F3 Grups tancada
+section_close_desc=Aquesta  aplicaci\u00F3 troba tancada temporalment. Podr\u00E0 accedir a les opcions d'informaci\u00F3gesti\u00F3 dels seus grups a l'hora i data indicada pel seu professor.
+section_close_opendate=Data d'obertura:
+section_open_info=Tancar ferramenta grups per als alumnes fins la data d'obertura:
+section_refresh_info=Quan arribe la data d'obertura, refresque la p\u00E0gina per vore els grups.
+error_date_format=Errada en el format de la Data/Hora
diff --git a/sections/sections-app-util/src/bundle/sections_es.properties b/sections/sections-app-util/src/bundle/sections_es.properties
index efb195236160..79b26c88d159 100644
--- a/sections/sections-app-util/src/bundle/sections_es.properties
+++ b/sections/sections-app-util/src/bundle/sections_es.properties
@@ -150,4 +150,13 @@ edit_student_over_max_warning_try=Ha intentado incluir {0} estudiantes en el gru
 roster_page_header=Pertenencia de estudiantes
 student_view_join_sc=(Uni\u00f3n {0})
 student_view_switch_sc=(Cambio a {0})
-edit_student_sections_instructions=Para asignar este estudiante a un grupo, pulse en Asignar. Puede asisgnar solamente un estudiante a un grupo de cada categor\u00EDa. Si el estudiante ya es miembro de un grupo en una categor\u00EDa, ser\u00E1 eliminado de dicho grupo si lo asigna a un grupo nuevo.
\ No newline at end of file
+edit_student_sections_instructions=Para asignar este estudiante a un grupo, pulse en Asignar. Puede asisgnar solamente un estudiante a un grupo de cada categor\u00EDa. Si el estudiante ya es miembro de un grupo en una categor\u00EDa, ser\u00E1 eliminado de dicho grupo si lo asigna a un grupo nuevo.
+#
+# Control closed sections
+#
+section_close_title=Aplicaci\u00F3n Grupos Cerrada
+section_close_desc=Esta aplicaci\u00F3n encuentra cerrada temporalmente. Podr\u00E1 acceder a las opciones de informaci\u00F3n y gesti\u00F3n de sus grupos a la fecha y hora indicada por su profesor.
+section_close_opendate=Fecha de Apertura:
+section_open_info=Cerrar herramienta grupos para alumnos hasta la Fecha de Apertura..:
+section_refresh_info=Llegada la hora de apertura, refresque la p\u00E1gina para ver los grupos.
+error_date_format=Error en el formato de la Fecha/Hora
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/sections/sections-app/src/java/org/sakaiproject/tool/section/EntryServlet.java b/sections/sections-app/src/java/org/sakaiproject/tool/section/EntryServlet.java
index d41cabefbaf0..1e91f35e7c9a 100644
--- a/sections/sections-app/src/java/org/sakaiproject/tool/section/EntryServlet.java
+++ b/sections/sections-app/src/java/org/sakaiproject/tool/section/EntryServlet.java
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package org.sakaiproject.tool.section;
 
 import java.io.IOException;
+import java.util.Calendar;
 
 import javax.servlet.ServletException;
 import javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet;
@@ -12,6 +13,9 @@
 import org.sakaiproject.section.api.facade.manager.Authn;
 import org.sakaiproject.section.api.facade.manager.Authz;
 import org.sakaiproject.section.api.facade.manager.Context;
+import org.sakaiproject.section.api.SectionManager;
+import org.sakaiproject.component.section.sakai.SectionManagerImpl;
+import org.sakaiproject.tool.section.jsf.backingbean.StudentViewBean;
 import org.springframework.context.ApplicationContext;
 import org.springframework.web.context.WebApplicationContext;
 
@@ -44,7 +48,16 @@ public void doGet(HttpServletRequest request, HttpServletResponse response) {
             path.append("/overview.jsf");
         } else if (viewOwnSections) {
             if(log.isDebugEnabled()) log.debug("Sending user to the student view page");
-            path.append("/studentView.jsf");
+            //Control if the access to the groups is closed
+            SectionManager sm = (SectionManager)ac.getBean("org.sakaiproject.section.api.SectionManager");
+            Calendar open = sm.getOpenDate(siteContext);
+            Calendar now = Calendar.getInstance();
+            if (now.before(open)) {
+            	System.out.println("SECTIONS: Grupos Cerrados...");
+            	path.append("/closed.jsf");
+            }else {
+            	path.append("/studentView.jsf");
+            };
         } else {
             // The role filter has not been invoked yet, so this could happen here
             path.append("/noRole.jsp");
diff --git a/sections/sections-app/src/java/org/sakaiproject/tool/section/filter/RoleFilter.java b/sections/sections-app/src/java/org/sakaiproject/tool/section/filter/RoleFilter.java
index 77bedea0c94a..9f2ddf28eea3 100644
--- a/sections/sections-app/src/java/org/sakaiproject/tool/section/filter/RoleFilter.java
+++ b/sections/sections-app/src/java/org/sakaiproject/tool/section/filter/RoleFilter.java
@@ -119,6 +119,8 @@ public void doFilter(ServletRequest servletRequest, ServletResponse response, Fi
 			} else if (authz.isViewOwnSectionsAllowed(userUid, siteContext)
 					&& authzFilterConfigBean.getViewOwnSections().contains(pageName)) {
 				isAuthorized = true;
+			} else if (pageName.contains("closed")) {
+				isAuthorized = true;
 			}
 
 			// SAK-13408 - This fix addresses the problem of the filter receiving a blank field on WebSphere.
diff --git a/sections/sections-app/src/java/org/sakaiproject/tool/section/jsf/backingbean/OptionsBean.java b/sections/sections-app/src/java/org/sakaiproject/tool/section/jsf/backingbean/OptionsBean.java
index 56314fda90fe..d6ffe88729cc 100644
--- a/sections/sections-app/src/java/org/sakaiproject/tool/section/jsf/backingbean/OptionsBean.java
+++ b/sections/sections-app/src/java/org/sakaiproject/tool/section/jsf/backingbean/OptionsBean.java
@@ -27,7 +27,9 @@
 import org.sakaiproject.section.api.SectionManager;
 import org.sakaiproject.section.api.SectionManager.ExternalIntegrationConfig;
 import org.sakaiproject.tool.section.jsf.JsfUtil;
-
+import java.util.Calendar;
+import java.util.Date;
+import java.text.SimpleDateFormat;
 /**
  * Controls the options page.
  * 
@@ -47,7 +49,10 @@ public class OptionsBean extends CourseDependentBean implements Serializable {
 	private String management;
 	private boolean confirmMode;
 	private boolean managementToggleEnabled;
-
+	private boolean openSwitch;
+	private Calendar openDate;
+	private boolean errorflag;
+	
 	public void init() {
 		// We don't need to initialize the bean when we're in confirm mode
 		if(confirmMode) {
@@ -71,6 +76,12 @@ public void init() {
 		} else {
 			management = INTERNAL;
 		}
+		this.openDate = sm.getOpenDate(getCourse().getSiteContext());
+		if (this.openDate!=null){
+			openSwitch=true;
+		} else {
+			openSwitch=false;
+		}
 	}
 
 	public String confirmExternallyManaged() {
@@ -82,6 +93,9 @@ public String update() {
 	}
 	
 	public String update(boolean checkForConfirmation) {
+		if (errorflag) {
+			return "options";
+		}
 		if(!isSectionOptionsManagementEnabled()) {
 			// This should never happen
 			log.warn("Updating section options not permitted for user " + getUserUid());
@@ -106,6 +120,9 @@ public String update(boolean checkForConfirmation) {
 		// If we're externally managed, these will automatically be set to false
 		if(INTERNAL.equals(management) || management == null) {
 			getSectionManager().setJoinOptions(courseUuid, selfRegister, selfSwitch);
+			// Update the open date
+			if (!openSwitch) {this.openDate=null;};
+			getSectionManager().setOpenDate(courseUuid,openDate);
 		}
 		
 		// TODO Customize the message depending on the action taken
@@ -129,6 +146,13 @@ public void setSelfSwitch(boolean selfSwitch) {
 		this.selfSwitch = selfSwitch;
 	}
 
+	public boolean isOpenSwitch() {
+		return openSwitch;
+	}
+
+	public void setOpenSwitch(boolean openSwitch) {
+		this.openSwitch = openSwitch;
+	}
 	/**
 	 * See http://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/MYFACES-570 for the reason for this boolean/String hack
 	 * @return
@@ -158,5 +182,28 @@ public void setConfirmMode(boolean confirmMode) {
 	public boolean isManagementToggleEnabled() {
 		return managementToggleEnabled;
 	}
+	public String getOpenDate() {
+		if (openDate == null) {
+			return null;
+		} else {
+			SimpleDateFormat sd = new SimpleDateFormat("dd/MM/yyyy hh:mm:ss a");
+			return sd.format(openDate.getTime());
+		}
+	}
 
+	public void setOpenDate(String date){
+		if (date==null || date.length()==0) {
+			this.openDate=null;
+		}else{
+			SimpleDateFormat sd = new SimpleDateFormat("dd/MM/yyyy hh:mm:ss a");
+			Calendar p = Calendar.getInstance();
+			try {
+				p.setTime(sd.parse(date));
+			} catch (Exception e){
+				JsfUtil.addErrorMessage(JsfUtil.getLocalizedMessage("error_date_format"));
+				errorflag=true;
+			};
+			this.openDate=p;
+		}
+	}
 }
diff --git a/sections/sections-app/src/webapp/common/WEB-INF/faces-navigation.xml b/sections/sections-app/src/webapp/common/WEB-INF/faces-navigation.xml
index ae53e741ad1b..4f1faf72391f 100644
--- a/sections/sections-app/src/webapp/common/WEB-INF/faces-navigation.xml
+++ b/sections/sections-app/src/webapp/common/WEB-INF/faces-navigation.xml
@@ -13,6 +13,11 @@
             <to-view-id>/overview.jsp</to-view-id>
             <redirect/>
         </navigation-case>
+         <navigation-case>
+            <from-outcome>closed</from-outcome>
+            <to-view-id>/closed.jsp</to-view-id>
+            <redirect/>
+        </navigation-case>        
         <navigation-case>
             <from-outcome>editSection</from-outcome>
             <to-view-id>/editSection.jsp</to-view-id>
diff --git a/sections/sections-app/src/webapp/common/js/sections.js b/sections/sections-app/src/webapp/common/js/sections.js
index 9d690c8a39f5..6fde75596c48 100644
--- a/sections/sections-app/src/webapp/common/js/sections.js
+++ b/sections/sections-app/src/webapp/common/js/sections.js
@@ -71,6 +71,8 @@ function updateOptionBoxes(externallyManaged) {
 	}
 	var selfJoin = document.getElementById("optionsForm:selfRegister");
 	var selfSwitch = document.getElementById("optionsForm:selfSwitch");
+	var openSwitch = document.getElementById("optionsForm:openSwitch");
+	var openDate = document.getElementById("optionsForm:openDate");
 
 	if(externallyManaged.value=='external') {
 		// Automatic section management is selected
@@ -78,10 +80,17 @@ function updateOptionBoxes(externallyManaged) {
 		selfJoin.disabled = true;
 		selfSwitch.checked = false;
 		selfSwitch.disabled = true;
+		openSwitch.checked = false;
+		openSwitch.disabled = true;
+		openDate.value = "";
+		openDate.disabled = true;
 	} else {
 		// Manual section management is selected
 		selfJoin.disabled = false;
 		selfSwitch.disabled = false;
+		openSwitch.disabled = false;
+		openDate.disabled = false;
+		calendar.disabled = false;		
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/sections/sections-app/src/webapp/common/options.jsp b/sections/sections-app/src/webapp/common/options.jsp
index b2834073511c..ef07805451fe 100644
--- a/sections/sections-app/src/webapp/common/options.jsp
+++ b/sections/sections-app/src/webapp/common/options.jsp
@@ -44,6 +44,14 @@
 	            <h:selectBooleanCheckbox id="selfSwitch" value="#{optionsBean.selfSwitch}" disabled="#{optionsBean.confirmMode ||  ! optionsBean.sectionOptionsManagementEnabled}"/>
 	            <h:outputLabel for="selfSwitch" value="#{msgs.options_self_switch_label}"/>
 	        </t:div>
+			<t:div styleClass="indent">
+            	<h:selectBooleanCheckbox id="openSwitch" value="#{optionsBean.openSwitch}" disabled="#{optionsBean.confirmMode ||  ! optionsBean.sectionOptionsManagementEnabled}"/>
+                <h:outputText value="#{msgs.section_open_info}"/>
+                <h:inputText id="openDate" value="#{optionsBean.openDate}" disabled="#{optionsBean.confirmMode ||  ! optionsBean.sectionOptionsManagementEnabled}"/>
+                <script src="/samigo/jsf/widget/datepicker/datepicker.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
+                <img  id="calendar" onclick="javascript:var cal = new calendar2(document.getElementById('optionsForm:openDate'), cal_gen_date2_dm, cal_prs_date2_dm);cal.year_scroll = true;cal.time_comp = true;cal.popup('','/samigo/html/');"
+                      width="16"  height="16"  style="cursor:pointer;"   src="/samigo/images/calendar/cal.gif"  border="0" />
+			</t:div>
         </t:div>
     
         <t:div styleClass="act verticalPadding">