What If My Account Gets Blocked?
If you exceed the email sending limits, your account will be blocked from sending email. You can still receive and read emails, but while your email is blocked, you cannot send or reply until the block is removed.
How to Restore the Ability to Send Messages
To restore sending:
- Submit a ticket to Purdue IT Support
- Request that your email sending be unblocked
Once reviewed, IT Support can restore your account so you can send email again
Why the Change
Purdue IT is implementing this change to help combat the number of phishing emails sent in our environment. This change will greatly reduce the number of recipients and likelihood of Purdue users receiving a phishing email.
This change also aligns with Purdue University’s official Email Policy outlined here:
https://www.purdue.edu/vpec/policies/information-technology/s7/
Why This Happens
You’re most likely to hit a limit if you:
- Send the same message to lots of people individually
- Reply to large threads multiple times
- Send automated or scripted emails
If you need to reach a large group, regular email is usually not the best option.
Better Options for Reaching Groups
Use a Listserv Mailing Lists
Mailing lists are the recommended way to email large Purdue audiences.
- Designed for high-volume messages
- Managed by list owners
Mailing lists must follow Purdue’s official guidelines:
https://service.purdue.edu/TDClient/32/Purdue/KB/ArticleDet?ID=509
Use Qualtrics for Surveys or Signups
If you’re collecting responses (events, surveys, feedback):
- Utilize the Qualtrics platform to invite individuals to contribute to a survey, event, or provide feedback
- Purdue supported and secure
- Can be configured to include internal or external signups
For Homework and Lab Communication
Instructors/TAs: Please utilize Brightspace’s Announcement section to contact groups of students. Be sure to check the Send email copy box to ensure communication reaches your target audience as applicable. These emails come from the Brightspace platform themselves rather than your individual Purdue account.
The Communication tab and Class list section can also be used to email classmates or instructors; however, these emails are included in sending limits calculations.
Can I Get an Exception?
Sometimes — but only for limited, approved cases. You may request an exception if the email is:
- Official University business
- Time sensitive
Student organization announcements and general mass emails usually do not qualify if a mailing list would work.
Contact Purdue IT Support with:
- What you need to send
- How many people
- When it needs to go out
Which Option Should I Use?
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What are you trying to do?
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Best option
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Why this works
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Email a student org, class, or department
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Brightspace / Listserv
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Built for large groups and won’t hit your personal sending limits
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Send an announcement to a defined Purdue audience
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Listserv
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Policy approved and managed by list owners
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Run a survey or poll
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Qualtrics
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Secure, Purdue supported, and easier to manage
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Email a student organization (greater than 100 members)
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Listserv
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Built for large groups and won’t hit your personal sending limits
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Email a small group (under ~50 people)
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Regular email
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Unlikely to hit sending limits
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Need to send a large, official, time sensitive message
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Request an exception
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Reviewed for limited, approved cases
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Sending repeated reminders to many people
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Qualtrics or Mailing List
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Prevents hitting hourly/daily limits
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Still Not Sure?
If you’re unsure which option to use, reach out to Purdue IT Support before sending repeated emails.
Email is not the only method of communication. Consider using social media platforms to also advertise and gather audiences.