Sending Targeted Email

There is currently no way to send unofficial mass email to all UNM students. Though university-wide mailing lists exist in UNM’s Listserv system, most are for administrative purposes, and their use is restricted.

Information Technology Services' University Support Services group can extract mailing lists of targeted groups in the student, faculty or staff databases for one-time mailings. The database owner must approve the request. Contact University Support Services at uss@unm.edu.

It is possible to use electronic mailing lists to send targeted mass emails to members of the UNM community via UNM’s Listserv system. However, you should be careful about the list you target and the kind of email you send. It’s against mailing list etiquette to send anything to the list that could be considered SPAM.

Guidelines for Sending Targeted Email

DO

Consider the audience you want to target, and make sure you’re using the best mailing list to reach them.
Identify yourself. Sign your message with your name, title and telephone number so that people can can reach you.
Make the subject line clear and concise so people know what your email is about. Avoid subject lines that are cute or misleading.
Keep your message simple and to the point. Put expanded information, graphics and attachments on a Web page and include a link in the message.
Use text only. Some email programs can’t display HTML or graphics, and they add to the size of your mailing. Put these features on a Web page and include a link in the message.
Identify the distribution group at the bottom of your email so people will know why they were selected to receive the message and who else is getting it.

DON’T

Send unsigned messages or messages using a false identity.
Include surveys in your message. You may send an announcement about a survey and include a link to the survey on Web page.
Send jokes, stories, recipes, poems, etc.
Send chain letters or petitions.
Forward virus reports. Reliable, up-to-date information about viruses is always available on the ITS Virus page.
Send advertisements of any kind, even for services you’re offering such as babysitting.
Send want ads or personal ads.
Send political or campaign messages.
Use vulgar or sexually-explicit language or images.