the smedley log - suburban scrawl

Email ettiquette

Thanks to the University of Kansas for this fascinating little gaffe:

E-Mail Embarrasses 119 Failing Students

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP)—More than 100 students who failed their classes at the University of Kansas last semester found out who shared their misfortune. The school’s Office of Student Financial Aid sent an e-mail to 119 students Monday notifying them that they were in jeopardy of having their aid revoked.

But the names of the students were included on the e-mail address list – meaning everyone who got the e-mail could see the names of all the other recipients. …

If you’re sophisticated enough to utilize email at the post-secondary level, shouldn’t you also be sophisitcated enough to know recipients of a group mailing can see each other’s addresses? -or maybe this is some new “tough love” approach to academic achievement?