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Google Groups

Google Groups are a service from Google that provides discussion groups for people sharing common interests.  Google Group Directions and Help. Google Groups will now be used for ALL Williams email lists.  In the past we needed to use LISTSERVS for lists that had subscribers who used non-Williams email addresses.  This has now changed so we are now able to offer Google Groups for ALL email list requests.

Google Group Requests:

When filling out the form, please read through the Help sections carefully since you may select from a variety of options that will affect the way that your list works.  Your request may take a few days to process- you’ll be notified via email when your Google Group is ready.

Note:  Students requesting an email group must be affiliated with a Registered Student Organization. The listing of current RSOs/groups can be found here: https://student-life.williams.edu/student-involvement/student-organizations/#current-listing-of-rsos. If you are a Student Group that is not an RSO please contact Campus Life for assistance.

  • Google Group Request - Fac/Staff

    "*" indicates required fields

    Name:*
    Who should we contact if there are questions on setting up this Google Group (normally the person filling out this form).
    The Group Name is used to create the email address. The email address of the group will be the Group Name plus @williams.edu so don't use spaces. Use 7-16 characters with only letters, numbers, and '-' or '_'. Group names will need to be unique and unambiguous.
    Title can be the Group name with spaces e.g. Williams Glacier Research
    A brief description of the group
    Only one owner is required. Enter the email in short form (ex. [email protected]) You can add more owners now in the fields below, or later after the group is created.
    External members:*
    Allow people without Williams accounts to be members of the group?
    You can pre-add members now, or add them later using the Google Groups interface. Add members using their short usernames followed by a comma and space e.g. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
    Confidentiality:*
    Is the existence of this group hidden? When people search for groups using a web browser or the Group app, should they be able to see it exists?
    Service - Only Williams people can find the list
    Yes - Yes, the list is confidential and not findable on the internet
    No - No, the list is not confidential
    Posting Options:*
    Who can post or send email to the group?
    Public - Anyone can send mail to group, like a regular email address.
    Service - Only Williams people can send mail to the group.
    Private - Only members of the group can send mail to the group.
    Editor - Only the Group Moderator can send mail to list.
    Subscription Requests:*
    Normally the Owner of the Group simply adds or removes members, but the Group can also be available for people to request access.
    Open - Anyone can add themselves to the group (not recommended)
    By Owner- People can ask to join but an owner must approve.
    Closed - Subscription requests are not allowed. Owner must invite or add all members.
    Reply-to Default:*
    When someone replies to a group email who should receive the reply?
    List - Replies go back to the Group, so all members receive it (default):
    Sender - Replies go back to sender only but any Reply-To address set by the sender's mail client will be respected. Best for announcement type of groups.
    Review:*
    Who may obtain the members' names and e-mail addresses?
    Public - Anyone can review.
    Private - Only members can review.
    Owners - Only owners can review.
    Archive Messages:*
    Emails to the group are received by all subscribed members to their inboxes. If archiving is turned on then the emails are also available in the Google Groups app in a condensed conversation mode.
    No - Do NOT archive messages.
    Yes - Do archive messages.
    Any comments or questions about your list setup.

    Once the group is created you can add members and manage the group from the Groups section of your Williams Google account. Contact Client Services at [email protected] for assistance.

  • Google Group Request - Student

    "*" indicates required fields

    Registered Student Organizations can use this form request a Google Group only if their information is current and up to date with the Office of Campus Life. The listing of current groups can be found here: https://student-life.williams.edu/student-involvement/student-organizations/#current-listing-of-rsos.

    If you are a Student Group that is not an RSO please contact Campus Life for assistance.

    Name:*
    Who should we contact if there are questions on setting up this Google Group (normally the person filling out this form)?
    The Group Name is used to create the email address. The email address of the group will be the Group Name plus @williams.edu so don't use spaces. Use 7-16 characters with only letters, numbers, and '-' or '_'. Group names will need to be unique and unambiguous.
    Please enter the Registered Student Organization that is associated with this group.
    A brief description of the group
    Only one owner is required. Enter the email in short form (ex. [email protected]) You can add more owners now in the fields below, or later after the group is created.
    External members:*
    Allow people without Williams accounts to be members of the group?
    You can pre-add members now, or add them later using the Google Group interface. Add members using their short usernames followed by a comma and space e.g. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
    Confidentiality:*
    Is the existence of this group hidden? When people search for groups using a web browser or the Group app, should they be able to see it exists?
    Service - Only Williams people can find the list
    Yes - Yes, the list is confidential and not findable on the internet
    No - No, the list is not confidential
    Posting Options:*
    Who can post or send email to the group?
    Public - Anyone can send mail to group, like a regular email address.
    Service - Only Williams people can send mail to the group.
    Private - Only members of the group can send mail to the group.
    Editor - Only the Group Moderator can send mail to list.
    Subscription Requests:*
    Normally the Owner of the Group simply adds or removes members, but the Group can also be available for people to request access.
    Open - Anyone can add themselves to the group (not recommended)
    By Owner- People can ask to join but an owner must approve.
    Closed - Subscription requests are not allowed. Owner must invite or add all members.
    Reply-to Default:*
    When someone replies to a group email who should receive the reply?
    List - Replies go back to the Group, so all members receive it (default):
    Sender - Replies go back to sender only but any Reply-To address set by the sender's mail client will be respected. Best for announcement type of groups.
    Review:*
    Who may obtain the members' names and e-mail addresses?
    Public - Anyone can review.
    Private - Only members can review.
    Owners - Only owners can review.
    Archive Messages:*
    Emails to the group are received by all subscribed members to their inboxes. If archiving is turned on then the emails are also available in the Google Groups app in a condensed conversation mode.
    No - Do NOT archive messages.
    Yes - Do archive messages.
    Any comments or questions about your list setup.

    Once the group is created you can add members and manage the group from the Groups section of your Williams Google account. Contact the Student Technology Consultants [email protected] or stop by Sawyer 2nd floor CET for assistance.

Other Types of Email Lists:

Old Google Group and LISTSERV Deletion:

When you no longer need a listserv or Google Group, please e-mail [email protected] to request its removal.

In the message please provide

  • your name
  • phone number or other means of contact, in the event we have questions
  • the name of the Google Group or listserv(s) to be removed

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