Subscribe, Unsubscribe, and Post to a Sympa Mailing List

This article explains how to subscribe to a Sympa mailing list, unsubscribe from a mailing list, send messages to a list, and request available Sympa email commands.
Sympa website: Go to https://lists.fau.edu to browse mailing lists and manage your subscriptions.
Note: Some mailing lists may require approval before you are subscribed. Some lists may also restrict who can post messages.

Subscribe to a List Using the Web Interface ▾

  1. Go to https://lists.fau.edu.
  2. Log in with your FAU credentials.
  3. Select a list category that matches the list you want to join.
  4. Select the name of the mailing list.
  5. On the left side of the page, select Subscribe.
  6. You will receive a confirmation email message when the subscription is complete.
Tip: You can also use the List of lists tab to browse available mailing lists.

Subscribe to a List by Email Command ▾

You can subscribe to a mailing list by sending an email command to Sympa.

  1. Open your FAU email account.
  2. Create a new email message addressed to sympa@lists.fau.edu.
  3. In the subject line, enter subscribe LISTNAME YOURNAME.
  4. Replace LISTNAME with the mailing list name.
  5. Replace YOURNAME with your first and last name.
  6. Leave the message body blank.
  7. Send the message.

For example, if John Doe wanted to subscribe to fau-l, the subject line would be:

subscribe fau-l John Doe

Note: The email address used to send the command is the email address that will be subscribed to the list.

Unsubscribe from a List ▾

Unsubscribe using the web interface

  1. Go to https://lists.fau.edu.
  2. Log in with your FAU credentials.
  3. Select the mailing list you want to leave.
  4. On the left side of the page, select Unsubscribe.
  5. You will receive a confirmation email message when you are unsubscribed.

Unsubscribe by email command

  1. Open your FAU email account.
  2. Create a new email message addressed to sympa@lists.fau.edu.
  3. In the subject line, enter unsubscribe LISTNAME YOURNAME.
  4. Leave the message body blank.
  5. Send the message.

For example:

unsubscribe fau-l John Doe

Send a Message to a Mailing List ▾

To participate in a mailing list, send an email message to the list’s email address.

  1. Open your email client, such as Outlook.
  2. Select New Email.
  3. In the To field, enter the list email address, such as LISTNAME@lists.fau.edu.
  4. Enter a subject line.
  5. Write your message in the message body.
  6. Select Send.
Important: Some lists are moderated or restrict who can post. If your message does not appear immediately, it may be waiting for moderator approval or the list may not allow your account to post.

Post to a List from the Sympa Web Interface ▾

  1. Go to https://lists.fau.edu.
  2. Log in with your FAU credentials.
  3. Select the mailing list you want to post to.
  4. Select Post.
  5. Enter the subject line.
  6. Write your message in the message body.
  7. Select Send to send the message.
Note: The Post option may not be available for every list or every user, depending on list settings.

Find Available Sympa Email Commands ▾

To receive a list of available Sympa email commands:

  1. Open your FAU email account.
  2. Create a new email message addressed to sympa@lists.fau.edu.
  3. Enter HELP in either the subject line or the body of the message.
  4. Send the message.

Sympa will email you a message describing the available commands.

Tip: Most common functions are also available through the web interface at https://lists.fau.edu.

Troubleshooting ▾

  • If you cannot find the list, it may not be public or visible to your account.
  • If the Subscribe link is missing, the list may not allow self-subscription.
  • If you do not receive a confirmation email, check your Junk Email folder and confirm you used the correct email address.
  • If an email command does not work, confirm the command format and make sure you sent it to sympa@lists.fau.edu.
  • If you cannot post to a list, the list may be moderated or restricted to specific senders.
  • If you need help with a specific list, contact the list owner when possible.

Still Need Help?

If you need assistance subscribing, unsubscribing, or posting to a Sympa mailing list, please contact the Help Desk or submit a ticket request.

Submit a Help Desk ticket

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