This article explains how to subscribe to or unsubscribe from a Hamilton College Listserv mailing list by emailing a command to the Listserv server.
Listserv only reads plain, unformatted text on the command line. Do not bold, italicize, or otherwise style the command, and do not type placeholder words like "listname" literally — replace them with the actual list name. Formatting characters, smart quotes, or an attached signature block in the message body will cause the command to fail or bounce.
Subscribing to a Listserv List
For the full list of mass mailing list addresses, their intended audiences, and usage policies, see the LITS Policies, Procedures, Plans, and Standards page.
Students cannot subscribe to faculty lists, and faculty cannot subscribe to student class lists.
- Create a new, plain-text email message addressed to
listserv@listserv.hamilton.edu.
- Turn off any automatic signature in your email client before typing the command — a signature appended below the command line can cause Listserv to reject the message. See Step 4 below for why this matters.
- On the first line of the message body, type the following command exactly, with no bold, italics, or other formatting applied:
subscribe [LISTNAME] [FirstName] [LastName]
Replace [LISTNAME] with the actual name of the list, and [FirstName] [LastName] with your own name. For example, to subscribe to a list named "tabletennis-list":
subscribe tabletennis-list John Doe
- Confirm your email client has not auto-applied a signature, letterhead, or HTML formatting to the message. In most clients this is a compose-window toggle (for example, "Plain text mode" or disabling the default signature under Settings).
- Send the message.
Some lists require confirmation before your subscription takes effect. If so, Listserv will reply with a subject line similar to Command confirmation request (EA25BB42). Open that message and click the confirmation link near the top; the resulting web page will indicate whether confirmation succeeded.
Once your subscription is active (immediately, or after confirmation), Listserv will send you a message explaining how to unsubscribe, pause mail temporarily, or switch to digest mode. Save this message for reference.
Unsubscribing From a Listserv List
- Create a new, plain-text email message addressed to
listserv@listserv.hamilton.edu.
- Turn off any automatic signature in your email client.
- On the first line of the message body, type the following command exactly, with no formatting applied:
unsubscribe [LISTNAME]
Replace [LISTNAME] with the actual name of the list. For example:
unsubscribe events-all
- Send the message.
More information
For more information, please refer to the Related Articles section in the sidebar. You may also submit a ticket on this topic under the Related Services section.