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More information about UAB email services may be found on the documentation page. |
Best Practices for Internal Electronic Communications
UAB has developed several options for internal electronic communications. The following guidelines have been developed to help you determine the best method of communication to meet your needs.
The eReporter
The eReporter is an electronic companion to the print UAB Reporter and is the recommended alternative to sending mass e-mails. It is distributed bi-weekly to UAB faculty and staff. If you have news or information that you would like to publish, please contact The eReporter at reporter@uab.edu or 205/975-5533, or online at www.uab.edu/reporter.
BlazerNET
BlazerNET offers two options of communication that can target members of the UAB community based on their status as faculty, staff or student.
Area Specific Channels are used to regularly provide ongoing information and services to particular groups about particular topics. For example, channels on BlazerNET’s Faculty Resources tab are designed specifically to deliver information to faculty; those on the Student Resources tab specifically for students.
Targeted Announcements are usually used for discrete events or one-time delivery of timely information.
To request a new BlazerNET channel or Targeted Announcement, sign in to BlazerNET and click on the help button in the upper right corner. A pop-up box will appear, from which you can select "Request a New Channel" or "Request a Targeted Announcement" on the left side, as shown below. For more detailed instructions, please follow the link below. Requests for a new BlazerNET channel or Targeted Announcement are reviewed by the BlazerNET Operating Committee and must be submitted five business days prior to the required start date.
E-Mail Lists
For ongoing communications with specific groups within the UAB community, the following options are available based on the purpose of the communications.
Listservs
Listservs are used for a defined, static audience of information recipients and are necessary for lists that include recipients outside of UAB. The audience can be determined through self-subscription, or a list owner can add and remove recipients. Listservs may be set up as a one-way distribution outlet or as a virtual discussion community to which all members can post information. To request a Listserv, contact the AskIT Help Desk at 996-5555.
Dynamic E-Mail Lists
Dynamic e-mail services are most often used for one-way information delivery to audiences whose composition may change from day to day, or even more often. Rather than relying upon statically defined memberships, each use of these services constructs its list of recipients in real-time. Distribution lists are typically developed for specific instances of communication such as sending to a specific department, a school or all occupants of a building. To request a distribution list, contact the AskIT Help Desk at 996-5555.
Mass E-Mails
Any one-time message addressed to multiple recipients that needs to be sent from a "special" address rather than a user’s personal address is considered a mass e-mail. Mass e-mails sent to all faculty, staff and students are reserved for special circumstances and require special permissions based upon organizational hierarchy. Please contact AskIT at 996-5555 to initiate the process. Once the permissions are granted, Central IT will construct the lists and send the e-mail. When submitting your request, please indicate the required send date and allow seven business days for completion of the request.
Personal Distribution Lists
Personal distribution lists are often used for unique groups that you need to e-mail frequently and which may include external parties. When sending your message, please keep in mind that the size limit for attachments is 3MB. For instructions on constructing a personal distribution list in Microsoft Outlook, click on the link below. Alternatively, you can create a list of emails separated by semicolons in a saved Notepad document. When you are ready to use the list, simply copy and past the e-mail addresses into the "Bcc" field (this provides privacy for your recipients, especially if some of them are non-UAB).
Instructions for Personal Distribution Lists in MS Outlook
UAB Global Address Book
Lists maintained in the UAB Global Address Book are for UAB personnel only. They are reserved for a defined, static audience of ongoing information recipients. To set up a group e-mail distribution list in the Address Book, please contact the AskIT Help Desk at 996-5555.