A mailing list is a collection of names and addresses used to send emails to multiple recipients. Emails sent to a mailing list are forwarded to the members (subscribers) of the list. There are three types of mailing lists available at WVU:
Outlook Personal Contact Group: Use a personal contact group for announcement based communication with internal (@mail.wvu.edu) users. These messages are sent from an individual to fewer than 70 recipients. Learn how to create a contact group in Outlook for PC or how to create a contact group in Outlook for Mac.
Microsoft 365 Group: Use this for collaboration. Microsoft 365 Groups include a shared mailbox, shared calendar and file repository. Learn how to create your own Microsoft 365 Group.
LISTSERV List: Use LISTSERV for announcement or discussion-based communication with external (not @mail.wvu.edu) users. You must submit a Mailing List Request to have a new LISTSERV created.
Review the chart below for detailed features of each type of list. To request a new LISTSERV List, or request support for an existing mailing list, submit a Mailing List Request.
Features | Outlook Personal Contact Group | Microsoft 365 Group | LISTSERV List |
Can include WVU faculty and staff (@mail.wvu.edu) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Can include WVU students (@mix.wvu.edu) | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ |
Can include HSC (@hsc.wvu.edu) | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ |
Assigned a WVU email address | ❌ | ✔ (@groups.wvu.edu) | ✔ (@listserv.wvu.edu) |
Designated list owner(s) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ Note: At least one list owner must have an email address ending in @mail.wvu.edu. |
Visible in Microsoft 365 Global Address List | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ |
Open subscription option (users can unsubscribe) | Note: The owner manages members. | ✔ | ✔ |
Archiving option | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ |
Moderated option (message approval) | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ |
Includes shared calendar | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ |
Includes file share repository | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ |
Users can create themselves | ✔ | ✔ | ❌ |
Attachments are supported | ✔ | ✔ | ❌ |
Maximum number of recipients | 70 | 1,000 | None |
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