What is a Distribution List?

A distribution list is a collection of email addresses within singular address that can be utilized to reach all recipients at once.

When should you use a Distribution List?

You should think about using a Distribution List when you have a collection of people you need to email frequently (e.g. project team, department, etc). When you need to email 500 or more people at one time, we recommend using YaleMessage.

Why your should use a Yale provided Distribution List instead of a third-party solution?

Using third-party solutions such as Mailchimp or Constant Contact, if improperly configured, can cause mail to be delivered to Junk Email or Spam folders instead of a user’s Inbox. Solutions provided by IT at Yale been properly configured so they have a very low chance of being flagged as Junk.

What Distribution List services are provided by Yale?

Office 365 Distribution Lists 

Microsoft 365 Distribution Lists can be utilized to send email messages to a group.

• Group members can be from both of Yale's email systems (Microsoft 365 and EliApps.)
• The list can be configured to allow messages to be sent by either managers only or everyone on the list.
• Useful for sending mail to departments, projects, or groups that are primarily members of the Microsoft 365 platform.

EliLists

A tool provided through EliApps (Google Apps for Education) for sending and receiving messages to a group of people. 

• Useful tool to send to any group of addresses. 
• Members can be from internal Yale email accounts (EliApps and Microsoft 365) as well as external email addresses.
• Useful for sending mail to departments, projects, or groups that are primarily members of the EliApps platform.

Mailman Lists

Mailman Lists are used for platform-independent (not linked to either Microsoft 365 or EliApps) mailing lists. This is a web-based platform for managing group email lists offering the following features:

• Available to anyone with a Yale NetID and Yale email address.
• Offers list owners with a robust set of customizable features for list management and moderation.
• Non-Yale addresses can be made owners, moderators, or members.
• Supports public or private archives.
• Provides the ability for individuals to subscribe or unsubscribe from a list.

Yale Message

Yale Message is cloud-based application using Salesforce Marketing Cloud, for Yale University departments or schools to send targeted email messages to students, faculty, and staff that are automatically updated from Banner or Workday. Yale Message supports large-scale email messaging as well as targeted messaging to the following types of lists:

• Auto update lists: Based on queries to Banner and Workday, these lists are updated daily.
• Email Subscription: Used for newsletters and provides the option to unsubscribe.
• File Upload: Upload a plain text file of email addresses.

Third Party Distribution Lists

Distribution lists that are implemented by a non-Yale affiliated company or organization. These applications must be configured properly for mail to be recognized as valid messages sent by Yale University. Messages may be flagged as spam by EliApps and Office 365 mail if improperly configured.

**Examples of 3rd party companies that provide mail list services:

• Constant Contact 
• Mailchimp