Sympa Distribution Lists

What Is Sympa?

Sympa is a listserv system for managing electronic mailing lists. In its most basic form, a mailing list offers a means of communicating electronically with a collection of people through a single e-mail address. Whenever someone sends a message to a mailing list address, the message goes to everyone subscribed to the list.

Why Use Sympa?

At Webster, we have instituted a limit on the number of recipients to which a single email message may be electronically mailed. This limit helps prevent spammers from using Webster accounts to flood our system with bogus or fraudulent messages and helps regulate email flow through our system, preventing large numbers of email messages from hitting the servers all at once. Such volume can negatively impact email server performance.

Of course, many of us have a need to regularly send email to large groups of people. Sympa allows us to accommodate these large mailings. In cases where your email distribution list reaches a total of 30+ recipients, you can request a Sympa mailing list. Then, you may address your email to a single email address, the list name, and all the recipients (subscribers) associated with the list will receive it.

How Do I Request a Sympa List?

1. Complete and save the online List Request form. Instructions are provided on the form.

2. Email the completed form to listmaster@webster.edu. If you'd like to have the list pre-loaded with an initial set of email addresses, attach to the email request a file that contains the addresses.

3. IT will review your request.

List requests are subject to approval. Needs of the University will be considered along with potential impact to system resources, compliance with the CAN-SPAM Act. During the review process, the Listmaster may also contact you for more details.

4. If approved, the list will be created. The Listmaster will notify you when it's ready for use and provide information to get you started.

Maximum Email Recipient Policy

Webster University imposes a cap on the number of recipients an email message may contain. Approved by the Administrative Council and Academic Deans, this policy allows Webster to effectively manage outgoing email and help prevent Webster accounts from being used for spamming purposes.

Outgoing email messages are limited to a maximum of 30 recipients. Messages sent with more than 30 recipients will be rejected by the email server. The sender will then receive an error message or a returned message indicating that the email message was not sent.

Placing a limit on the number of recipients on a single email message is a common practice across other higher education institutions and business alike. It helps prevent spammers from using Webster accounts to flood our system with bogus or fraudulent messages. It also helps regulate email flow through our system, preventing large numbers of email messages from hitting the servers all at once. Such volume can negatively impact email server performance.

If you regularly send email to more than 30 recipients at a time, you may be eligible to use a managed list through our Sympa listserv application. To request a list, submit the form <Request for Email Distribution List>. Instructions are provided on the form. Detailed information is available on the Sympa Distribution List page. List requests will be reviewed by the listmaster, and you will be contacted regarding the best way to handle your large mailings.