Course Email Lists - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I request a course email list?
Click here to request a course e-mail list: Request a Course Email List

Why can't I see my class on the request form?
To request a course email list, you must assigned as the Instructor (assigned in Banner or Blackboard) or Course Roster Viewer (assigned in Banner).

How long does it take to get the email list?
Requests are processed on Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., so it usually takes less than one business day for your course email list to be created. Once you receive the email notification that the list has been created, it takes about 15 minutes for the list to be populated with the course roster.

Will I be notified once the email list has been created?
Yes. The Instructor(s) will be notified via email once the list is created. The automated notification will show the name and address of the list.

Why does my mail bounce when sending to the list?
Make sure you are using your @purdue.edu email address. These are closed lists that were created with Purdue email accounts. Email sent to the list from a non-Purdue address is not recognized as coming from a member of the list.

How do I add people to my course email list?

Log in to the email list page.
Click Edit Lists.
Click the Add Sender link to the right of your email list name, in the column titled "Authorized Senders".
Type the Purdue career account login in both the "Authorized Sender" and "Confirm Career Account" text boxes.
Click Add.

Please note: All Authorized Senders must be FERPA certified.

How do I change the type of my course email list?
There are two types of course email lists: Announce Only and Discussion. Announce-Only will not allow subscribers to send email or respond to this list. Only the Authorized Senders (instructor(s) and added TAs) will be permitted to post to this list. Discussion will allow subscribers of this list to send emails to the list.

To change your list type, log in to at the email list page.
Click Edit Lists.
Click the appropriate link under the column heading "Edit List Type" next to the email list name.
On the following screen, Click the Change List Type button to change your list type.

Why can't I make changes to the subscriber list myself?
An ITaP administrator is assigned as the list owner, rather than the instructor. This was done to prevent the instructor from being spammed by all the e-mail responses automatically generated as a result of our processes that run to maintain the list. Automated processes are in place to make sure that student adds and drops are reflected in the member list.

Will the students receive notification that they've been added to the mailing list?
No.

Why do I have to use my Purdue email address?
Course email lists are automatically maintained using data from the Registrar based on actual course rosters. If you want to use a non-Purdue address, you must set your mail service to "forward" using the Purdue Directory.

Will the email address of the sender be revealed to the mailing list when a message is sent out?
No. Course email lists facilitate communication between instructor and students, while protecting identities and email addresses. The "From" lists the senders e-mail address, but the "To" only lists the course email list name. Students do not have access to each others individual email addresses unless an individual student chooses to email the class a message, disclosing this information.

Is the list moderated?
No.

Can the name of the e-mail list be changed?
No.

Can the instructor see who is on the e-mail list?
Yes.

Log in to the email list page.
Click Edit Lists.
Click the course link in the column titled Subscriber List.

Can a list member see who else is on the e-mail list?
No.

How do I send mail to the email list?
Any e-mail client can be used (for example, Outlook, Webmail, Yahoo, Gmail) with the "To" address being the mailing list name. The instructor is responsible for distributing the mailing list address to the class. The mailing list address is sent to the instructor once the list is created. Please keep this email for your records.

Do I need to request a course email each semester for the same course?
Yes. Course email lists are based on the course roster which changes each semester. All course email lists are automatically deleted at the end of each semester. The Instructor or Course Roster Viewer (on behalf of the instructor) will request a new list each semester.

Are these lists published?
No. These lists are not published and are not open for subscription.

Who do I call if I have problems?
If you have technical problems with a course email list, please contact the ITaP Customer Service Center at 494-4000 or by sending email to itap@purdue.edu. Please note that to request or change a course email list, you must be either the Instructor or assigned to the Banner Course Roster Viewer role.