Who this is for / when to use it
Use this if you are JCB staff or faculty and you want a distribution list — sometimes called a listserv — so you can email a group of people at a single address (for example, everyone on a committee, a project team, or a program).
At JCB we set these up as Outlook distribution lists. Compared with other list options, an Outlook distribution list gives you and your group more control and better support:
- You control who can send to the list — not just who receives it — so you can keep a list from being used by people outside your group.
- You can send larger messages and attachments without the tight size limits some list systems impose.
- It's fully supported by JCB IT, so if something goes wrong we can help you directly.
Before you start
- Decide who should manage the list's membership — this can be you, or someone you designate. That person becomes the list manager and can add or remove members over time.
- Have a sense of the list's purpose and a name for it, and (if you want) whether only certain people should be allowed to send to it.
- You do not need to build anything yourself — JCB IT creates the list for you.
How to request a distribution list
- Open a ticket with the JCB IT Helpdesk asking for a new distribution list. Include the purpose, a proposed name, who the list manager(s) should be, and — if you'd like — who should be allowed to send to the list.
- JCB IT builds the list and assigns the list manager(s) you designated.
- Once it's ready, the list manager receives a link and simple instructions for managing membership (adding and removing people) using an online tool (Quest Web Tools). From then on, keeping the list up to date is the list manager's to control.
Automated college and school lists
Some distribution lists at JCB are automated — their membership updates on its own from official college data (for example, faculty lists, staff lists, and certain student lists). You don't need to request or maintain these, and their membership isn't edited by hand. If you think you're missing from an automated list you should be on, contact JCB IT and we'll look into it.
Common questions
- Who keeps the membership up to date? The list manager you designate. JCB IT sets the list up and hands membership management to that person.
- Can I limit who is allowed to send to the list? Yes — tell us in your request and we can restrict sending to specific people or groups.
- I'm looking for help with a Simple List (campus e-list). We're glad to point you in the right direction — central documentation for Simple Lists is at it.cornell.edu/simplelists. For most JCB group-email needs, though, we recommend a JCB distribution list for the added control and support described above.
Still stuck?
If you're not sure which option fits, or you want help planning a list, contact JCB IT and we'll help you choose.
Still need help? Contact the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business Helpdesk at itrequests@business.cornell.edu.
[edited via Jane by kac275 on 2026-09-25 17:30 UTC]