Question: I'm the instructor of a UW credit class. I have initiated a Mailman list for my class by submitting a request from My Class Resources on MyUW. I need to know the details of how this works.

Answer:

You will receive notification via email when your class Mailman list has been set up. That notice will include the name of the list and the administrative URL for configuring the list. The name of the list will be the email address used to post messages. The administrative URL can be accessed by using your (the list owner's) UW NetID and password.

After the list is created, it takes an overnight process in order for the students in your class/section to be added, along with any instructors and TAs listed in the Time Schedule. The subscriber information will be updated automatically on a daily basis from the class registration data. You may modify the subscribers while still maintaining the automatic updates. This means that if you manually delete a student's address even though the student is still enrolled in the class, that address will remain deleted. Additional addresses (e.g. non-UW addresses) can also be added to the list. Mailman will "remember" which addresses have been manually added or deleted, and will adjust the automatic updates accordingly.

To use your class Mailman list

All that is necessary to distribute messages to your class is to send email addressed to listname@u.washington.edu (where you replace "listname" with the name of your class list. The Mailman server will mail a copy of the message to each subscriber address.

Details of your class Mailman list configuration

Mailman is a powerful system with many options. As owner you can make changes to how your list operates by accessing the admin pages for the list at

https://mailman.u.washington.edu/mailman/admin/listname

Here is a summary of the default options most people want to know about:

• Who may post messages to the list? Only list subscribers.
• Are postings moderated? No. Postings will be immediately distributed.
• Will the person posting a message get a copy themselves? Yes.
• Is the list easily found by outsiders? No. Mailman will not advertise it.
• Could outsiders subscribe to the list if they learn of its existence? Not without approval. Subscriptions must first be approved by the list owner.
• Could a class member unsubscribe from the list? Not without approval. All unsubscribe requests must be approved by the list owner.
• Where are the student email addresses obtained? They come from matching student records with Uniform Access computer account information.
• What if a student has an incorrect or missing email address? A missing address most likely means that they do not have a UW Uniform Access computer account, so they should create one. If something is incorrect, or there are other problems, the student should contact UW Technology.
• Can I add, delete, or change subscribed addresses? Yes. You can manage subscribed addresses by accessing the admin pages for the list. Any changes you make to subscriptions will not be overwritten by the nightly updates.
• Are postings to the list archived? Yes.
• Will the list cease to exist at the end of the quarter? No. It will last one year before being automatically deleted.

Learning more about Mailman

There is a UW Mailman Reference site on the Web at

http://www.washington.edu/computing/mailman/

http://www.washington.edu/computing/mailman/owners/

When you run into problems and need assistance, send an email message with a description of the problem, and examples when possible, to help@u.washington.edu. We'll get the message routed to the best available consultant. If something needs immediate attention (between 8am and 5pm Monday - Friday,) call UW Technology Services at 206-221-5000.

Date: 08/2004 Author: R. Skiver Thompson