Google Groups FAQ
How can I request a new Google Group?
Submit the New Google Group Request form on OIT Messaging and Collaboration's Request Portal (please note: you need to be on campus or using VPN to access the portal). You will be asked to provide the following information:
- The name and IdentiKey username of a group owner (person to accept or decline invitations, if necessary). The owner of the group can add and remove members to the group.
- A descriptive name for the group. The name is based on this format: [CampusDepartmentCode] - GG - [Display Name]. For example: dept-gg-mylist@colorado.edu.
An OIT specialist will create the account and get in touch with you once it's created.
In the Email List Manager system I was an “owner” of all my lists, but in Google groups I’m listed as a “manager”. Should I be an owner in Google groups too?
For Google groups, “managers” will have the ability to do everything the Email List Manager “owners” could do, so you won’t ever need to be an “owner” of a Google group.
I tried to add a member to my Google group and received an error that an “account is disabled or blocked from Google Groups.” What should I do?
If the member you tried to add is a retiree or alumni, please note that OIT is currently transitioning our retirees and alumni away from our Google services. Until we are able to complete this project, these individuals may not be able to use their CU Boulder email for Google Groups membership. You can reach out to them for a personal email to add to your Google Group, or try again after our Google transition for alumni and retirees is completed. You can learn more about this effort on the New Google Storage Limitations page.
Where do I manage my Google Groups?
You can access and manage your google groups by signing in at groups.google.com with your @colorado.edu email address. You will be able to see all groups you are a member of under the My Groups section, or can browse through all groups at CU Boulder that are publicly listed under the All groups section on the left sidebar.
Why do I see Groups listed under my groups that I don't remember joining and cannot view?
Since Google groups can be used to manage access to Google services you may see that you are in a group that you did not join, and may not have access to view conversations or group members. These groups can safely be ignored.
Email List Manager FAQ
Why was Sympa replaced?
The OS and hardware required to host Sympa is nearing end-of-life. OIT has made the decision not to invest in a new on-premises environment to continue hosting Sympa, and instead, migrate this service to our existing Google Workspace Groups service.
Why was Google chosen as the replacement for Sympa when CU Boulder is moving away from Google for email and storage?
Google Groups offers a near 1:1 feature set to the current list manager, Sympa. It also provides an interface that is familiar to our user base, while reducing complexity within our IT infrastructure. CU Boulder intends to continue to offer Google Workspace for Education to our users. Google Groups, a service that is part of the Workspace for Education product suite, does not consume storage or count against our data quota. When placed against the other options in this space, it met the technical requirements and allows OIT resources to be invested in other areas of need.
