What is Sympa?

Sympa is a mailing list manager and server for sending email messages to multiple recipients on a list. Lists can have recipients both inside and outside of MSU.

VPN REQUIRED

Please be advised, you must be logged into the VPN in order to access and manage Sympa lists. More information on the VPN can be found at this link: https://www.montana.edu/uit/computing/desktop/vpn/

Who can request a list?

Lists can be requested by faculty, staff, and students (of officially recognized MSU Clubs).   

List types

There are 3 different list types:

  • User-managed lists that are populated by list owners (available upon request)

  • Auto-generated lists that are populated by querying Banner (available upon request)

  • Class enrollment and advisor/advisee lists that are automatically created and populated each semester* 

*A class enrollment list is created for every section of every class. An advisor/advisee list is created for each advisor and made up of advisees who have been listed as their Primary Advisor as defined in Banner.  

List modifications

Only the owner of a list can modify or request that a modification be made to their list.    Modifications include:

  • changing list membership (add/deleting members)
  • changing list owners 
  • changing list configuration such as sending privileges 
  • changing reply to address 

Owners can request list modifications by contacting the Service Desk at listservrequest@montana.edu or 994-1777.  Requests for modifications are required to come from a list's owner and will not be made without their explicit approval. 

Request a list

To request a new list complete the New List Request form.

  • When requesting a new user-managed list, you will be asked to choose:
    • who can send messages to the list
    • who can add members to the list
    • who will receive replies to messages sent to the list
    Such choices will determine if the list operates like a newsletter or a discussion group. All of these settings can also be adjusted after the list is created.
  • When requesting an auto-populated list from Banner you will be asked to provide the Banner codes needed to select the recipients of the list. Auto-populated lists are updated nightly.

Lists can be managed either through the Sympa web interface or using commands sent via email.  

More information

Please see the List Service FAQ.