An email list or listserv is a distribution list allowing a group of subscribers to automatically receive email messages sent to the list. UC Davis Information and Educational Technology (IET) hosts the central email lists service for academic or administrative units and members of the campus community.
Email lists can be used to send information and announcements and/or to facilitate shared discussions of class, departmental or other university business. The two basic types of email lists are announcement lists and discussion lists.
Announcement lists allow owners to send messages such as newsletters or announcements without allowing subscribers to respond to the list. With this type of mailing list, the information flows from a unique sender, such as a campus unit or administrative leader, to recipients.
Discussion lists allow all subscribers to take part in exchanges. These are often used for class discussions or for conversations among groups of participants with shared professional interests. These lists can be moderated or not.
In a moderated discussion list, messages go to all subscribers only after approval by a designated list moderator.
In a non-moderated list, messages are transmitted directly to all subscribers
Email List and Electronic Messaging Policy
In order to own or administer a university email list, individuals must comply with UC Davis Policy and Procedure Manual section 310-18, Email Lists and Mass Electronic Messaging. In August 2025, UC Davis updated this policy. Under the updated policy:
Only active faculty or staff may serve as administrators or owners of email lists.
Student employees, retired faculty, temporary affiliates or non-affiliates may not serve as list administrators.
Administrators of email lists may request that active students be assigned as secondary administrators under their supervision.
Listserv content must comply with all University of California and UC Davis electronic messaging policies. Important aspects of these policies include a prohibition on using university resources to promote events, fundraisers or other activities that are not sponsored by a university unit, and limits on use of listservs for topics other than university business
Relevant policies include but are not limited to:Section 310-16, Email Services
Section 310-23, Electronic Communications—Allowable Use
Section 310-24, Electronic Communications—Privacy and Access
The university may close an email list if the administrator is not an active member of the staff or faculty, if the listserv remains inactive for one year or longer, or if its use is noncompliant with university policy.
For more information about the policy, contact the Office of Strategic Communications
Resources for Creating and Maintaining Listservs
The following information applies to listservs using Sympa, a service offered by Information and Educational Technology (IET).
To set up listservs
Learn more about Sympa lists through IET’s Service Hub
Learn more about creating and maintaining mailing lists at IET’s Mailing List page
To update listservs in compliance with Policy 310-18
Delete the lists you no longer need. Learn more here.
Reassign ownership of lists for which you are not responsible.Learn more here.
Request that student(s) be assigned as secondary administrators. Contact IT Express.
Keep only the lists that you need and use.
Consider alternative platforms that may serve your needs better.
All university platforms are subject to UC and UC Davis policies on electronic messaging. These additional platforms may present advantages in terms of convenience, ability to share large files and engage in more dynamic discussions:
Microsoft Teams
Slack
Constant Contact
Google Groups*
*Available Winter 2026