UD P.O. Box

Using UD's P.O. Box Application

Frequently-Asked Questions About the P.O. Box Service

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This page will be updated as more questions come in.
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1) One of my students says her SPAM filters at her e-mail service block my e-mail to the class list. What should I tell her?

Remind the student that she is responsible for reading her UDelnet e-mail--even if she forwards her e-mail to another service. She could "whitelist" your e-mail address or could log into the P. O. Box service directly to view messages you've posted to the list. She could also choose to subscribe to an RSS feed for your list.

2) How do I quickly find my class lists to send them a message?

In the filter box, select "class lists" and the list of available mailing lists will show only class lists. You could further narrow the search by typing the course code and number (example: CISC100) in the filter box.

3) Classes start tomorrow, but I don't see my class list. When do class lists become active? And for what terms can I use P.O. Box mailing lists?

P.O. Box considers class mailing lists active on the first day of a term. For example, if classes begin on September 1, 2009, and you log into P.O. Box on August 31, 2009, P.O. Box will treat "Summer 2009" as the active term. In this example, select "Fall 2009" to see the class mailing lists active for your use during the term beginning on September 1.
If you select the correct term and still don't see your class list, work with your department's scheduling contact person (listed by the Office of the Registrar at http://www.udel.edu/registrar/dept_contacts.html) to verify that your course information is correct.
In general, P.O. Box class mailing lists are available for the current term, at least two previous terms, and one future term. You can send messages to students in your classes for all terms listed. However, you can only send messages to major lists for the current term and previous terms.

4) Fall classes start next week and I do not see any majors mailing lists for the fall term. Why?

Majors lists are "active" for the current academic term only. For example, if the fall term begins on September 1, 2009, and you log into P.O. Box on August 30, 2009, and select the Fall 2009 term, you will not see any majors mailing lists. You can select the current term (Summer 2009 in this example) and send a message to majors current as of Summer 2009, or you can wait until the first day of classes in the fall term to send a message to one of the majors mailing lists.
Because students' academic standing and registration status factor into list membership, major lists can not exist in future terms. However, "snapshots" of major mailing lists are available for previous terms.

5) I support the faculty in my department and need special access to all the class lists for my department. How do I request this?

Complete the the PO Box special access request form. You'll need to provide the Names and UdelNetIds of those needing the special access. For Class lists, provide the course codes and numbers where appropriate. For example, you might submit a request for access to all BIOL Class lists. For majors lists, provide all the major codes for which you need access. Requests for access take overnight to become effective.

6) How do I increase the font size of the text inside the PO Box?

This is a function of your browser. To find instructions on the web for how to do this with a particular browser you can search using words like "browser font size".

7) In the Message/Actions area, in the "Status" column, what do the letters S and D mean?

After a message is posted, it takes about 1 minute before it is sent. When the letter "S" turns from grey to darker grey it means the message has been scanned for viruses. When the letter "D" turns from grey to darker grey it means the message has been delivered.

8) What are the -undergrads, -grads, -students majors lists?

These are "superset" lists and exist if there are subset lists. The "undergrads" list is a list of all the -freshmen, -sophomores, etc. for all majors and Minors lists that exist for a specific code. The "grads" list is the superset list for the -MS and -PHD lists. And the -students lists are superset lists of all undergrads and grads that exist with a specific majors code.

9) I teach an Independent Study course and 20 colleagues received my Class List e-mail. Why did they all receive a copy of my message?

PO Box lists get their membership data from UDSIS. If 20 faculty members are listed as potential instructors for an Independent Study course, all 20 will be listed on the Class list as "owners". Faculty members are "owners" of their class lists and owners receive all e-mail sent to their lists.

10) Will the file I include as an attachment get delivered in the e-mail?

Attachments do not get delivered in the actual e-mail. If you include an attachment in a message, the student will receive a link to the attachment which is stored in the PO Box "Messages/Actions area. The link will require the student to log into the PO Box system. This is a more efficient method of delivering attachments to a number of people.

11) Why would I want to use an alternate sender address?

When sending a message to a large number of people, for example, all majors in a department or college, some departments prefer to have the message come from a college or departmental e-mail address. In addition, some faculty may prefer to have their students reply directly to their departmental e-mail address rather than to their udel.edu e-mail address.

12) How do I include a signature file in my messages?

From the homepage of the PO Box, select the "Preferences" button on the top right of the page. Enter your signature information in the box and add a checkmark in the "Add my signature to messages I post" area. Click "Update".

13) How do I send a message using HTML?

From the homepage of the PO Box, select the "Preferences" button on the top right of the page. Check the box next to "Compose and send rich (HTML) messages. and add a checkmark in the "Add my signature to messages I post" area. Click "Update". (Note: HTML messages do not work with all mail clients.)

14) I need to send a message that is larger than 100MB--how do I do so?

First, upload the file to the Drop Box and send the message to yourself. You will receive a message with a claim ID link to the file and the passcode to enter in order to retrieve it.
Second, log in to PO Box and create a new message to your class.
Finally, copy the claim ID link and passcode from the Drop Box e-mail you received and place it in this new message that you send to the class.

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Last Updated: August 6, 2009