Mailing Lists at MSU

What is a Mailing List?
Security Issues Regarding Mailing Lists
Deleting A Mailing List
Creating a Mailing List
Maintaining A Mailing List
Contact Information Regarding Mailing List

What is a Mailing List?

A mailing list is a communication media that allows users to "post" messages and responses for other users of a group.  These users are known as subscribers.   The mailing list administrator is responsible for all transactions with respect to the mailing list.  The administrator can manually add subscribers to the mailing list or allow subscribers to "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" to the mailing list at their leisure by sending an email to the mailing list server.  When subscribed to a mailing list, the subscribers are able to receive email messages posted by the administrator and other subscribers (if the administrator permits it).  For example, a professor may use a mailing list as means of communication among his students.   Since the students that attend his class change on a semesterly basis, the user can easily "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" the students as needed.  The professor can "post" a message to the mailing list by sending an email message to the mailing list server which in turn sends a copy of that message to every subscriber.   The professor can also allow students to post messages in the same manner.   For example, if a student wanted to find study partners for an upcoming test, the student can post a message to the mailing list which will send an email to fellow students.  Interested students can respond to the email and then form a study group.   Mailing lists are maintained through software called Majordomo.  For more information, please visit the Majordomo website or go to "Maintaining a Mailing List" on this page.

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Creating a Mailing List

Mailing lists are provided as a free service to the faculty, staff, and students of Mississippi State University to be used for educational and informative purposes only.   To create a mailing list, please print out and complete this form and hand-deliver to the ITS Helpdesk at 108 Allen Hall or fax it to (662) 325-1832.  Since mailing lists pose security risks, students must have the approval of their organization's faculty advisor prior to creating the mailing list.

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Security Issues Regarding Mailing Lists

Since mailing lists are considered public media, the administrator is responsible for all content that is transmitted and received via the mailing list.  Here are some issues that the administrator should consider before creating your mailing list.   Please do not add any users to your mailing list that do not wish to be added.   Please do not send advertisments or endorsements using the mailing list, as this is known as SPAM.  Please understand that if you allow subscribers to post to the mailing list, any subscriber may send any content to the mailing list server which sends a mass email to all mailing list subscribers.  As mailing list administrator, you are responsible for any content posted by your subscribers.

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Maintaining a Mailing List

A mailing list may be maintained by using the Majordomo web interface.  This user-friendly interface allows the administrator to add and remove subscribers, post messages, and set permissions for subscribers. 

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Deleting a Mailing List

If the mailing list becomes obsolete, it is the resposibility of the mailing list administrator to contact the Helpdesk via phone at (662) 325-0631 or email. When you contact the Helpdesk, you must provide the name of the list that is being deleted and some form of proof that you are the list administrator.

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Contact Information Regarding Mailing Lists

Please contact the User Services Helpdesk by phone at (662) 325-0631 or by email at helpdesk@msstate.edu with any comments and/or questions regarding mailing lists.

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