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IU Northwest LISTSERV's Frequently Asked Questions

What is a LISTSERV list?

What is a LISTSERV list?

It is an electronic mailing list that uses the LISTSERV software by L-Soft International, Inc. LISTSERV mailing lists provide greater flexibility, security, and control than standard email distribution lists.

For more detail in an easy-to-read format, please read the following article from the IU Knowledge base:

What is a LISTSERV mailing list? Links to additional information are at the end of this publication.

What LISTSERV lists are available for administrative purposes at IUN, who is subscribed to them, and who owns them?

See IU Northwest LISTSERVs

How do I subscribe to one of the IU Northwest LISTSERV lists?

Subscriptions to the IU Northwest LISTSERVs (except IUN-STAFF-L) are automatically generated. This process ensures the widest possible contact with the designated members as postings are normally related to job requirements or benefits. Subscription to the IUN-STAFF-L list, on the other hand, is optional as postings to the IUN-STAFF-L list are "nice"-to-know rather than "need"-to-know information. Twice a year, members of the IUN-STAFF-L list receive a message asking them to reconfirm their continued desire to remain on the list. Those who do not respond are removed from the list.

If you are not on one of these lists and you feel you should be, check with the contact indicated on the IU Northwest LISTSERV page.

* Subscription to the IUN-STUDENTS-L list is a special case. Students with iun.edu email accounts are auto-subscribed two weeks into the semester. Subsequently, students may request to be dropped or to be added to the list at any time.

What is a moderated list and how can I submit a message to one?

A moderated list includes a review process that occurs before a message is posted to the list to prevent inappropriate use of the list. If the content does not conform to the list's objectives, the list moderator has the option to return the message to the sender with an explanation and/or a suggestion for a more appropriate medium (such as a different list). The reviewer is not required to notify the originator. Since the review process is manual, messages sent to moderated lists can experience a time lag of as much as 24 hours or more. Every effort will be made to promptly review messages and to communicate with submitters should there be a decision not to post to the requested list.

To send a message to a list, send a regular email message to: listname@LISTSERV.iun.edu . Example: IUN-FACULTY-L@LISTSERV.iun.edu

For more information please see the Knowledge Base article: In LISTSERV, how do moderated lists work?

Can I be removed from the IUN-STAFF-L LISTSERV?

Although you may unsubscribe from the IUN-STAFF-L list at any time by contacting the IU Northwest IT Help Desk, you can also simply not respond to the renewal message sent twice a year.

Given that LISTSERV lists must have a specific purpose and a specific audience, what are the guidelines for using the IU Northwest LISTSERV lists?

The moderated lists are designed to facilitate the distribution of information necessary to the conduct of university business in the least disruptive manner possible. Only the group who needs the information will receive it, and the recipients will be able to expect the content to be important to them and deserving of their immediate attention.

Items of general interest to the IU Northwest University community, such as condolence announcements, retirement parties, university sanctioned fund-raising activities, and information about other academic and non-academic campus-wide events that are not critical to the normal performance of IU Northwest employees' duties should be posted to the IUN-STAFF-L list as IU policy precludes unsolicited mass mailings unless you are administratively responsible for the group. All postings should still be related to the university and not of a private business nature unrelated to the mission of the University. This is not the place to sell personal items or promote the sale of items by organizations that are not university sponsored.

Information you believe requires the attention of or is important to the entire IU Northwest community can be submitted to the IUN-ANNOUNCE-L list for possible distribution. Information or events that require or deserve press releases are excellent candidates for this list.

LISTSERV messages are not designed to distribute large attachments, so message size has been limited to 100 KB or less. Post large or multiple attachments on the web and only include a link to them within your LISTSERV message.

If your specific audience usually consists of a limited number of people, or you want to reach only those who are interested in a specific topic or activity, consider sponsoring your own LISTSERV list. Special interest lists have already been started by some IU Northwest organizations. Student groups wishing to have a LISTSERV list must request that a faculty member or appointed staff member sponsor the list.

What else should I know about appropriate usage of IU's LISTSERV lists?

Additional links from the IU Knowledge Base about LISTSERV lists is available by using the following links:

Also see Use of Mail and Mailing Lists at IU Northwest.