UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 34, Page 5
June 10, 1993
Signature messages personalize e-mail correspondence

     Carrie McMullen loves Fridays and Chris Murphy loves sports, and they
are letting everyone know it. Like others at the University, these
employees have creative auto reply messages on their e-mail correspondence.
     The phrases vary from a funny saying, a note of kindness or a few
words of wisdom.
     This special e-mail option, which provides an outlet for a signature
statement that conveys something about that person, shows up on the screen
of the sender when an e-mail message is sent.
     Some people use the messages to comment about the weather. During a
particularly rainy period recently, marine studies staff assistant Kimberly
Doucette's message read, "Where's the sun?" Ella MacDonough, senior
secretary in operations research, said, "I think it's time to build an
ark," on her e-mail.
     Cindy Timko, senior secretary in University Development, maintained a
positive attitude with, "Welcome Spring! Only 4 weeks until beach time!"
Timko, who has worked for the University for 10 years, said she opts to
have a reply message for her e-mail because she uses it a lot. So do many
of the people she corresponds with.
     "My messages are meaningful to the people who know me," Timko said.
     She changes her statement about once a month. According to Timko,
people anticipate her new messages and usually respond to say they like
them.
     While comments about the weather are common, there also are familiar
or favorite quotes such as,"A cluttered desk is the sign of a genius," used
by Nancy Soccorso, executive secretary in women's affairs. Lynn Loper,
records evaluator in admissions, uses her favorite quote by Yogi Berra,
"It's deja vu all over again."
     "I usually try to put something funny, uplifting or informational for
my message," she said. According to Loper, people often respond to tell her
when a message is out of date. For instance, once she left a note that she
would be back on the 24th and forgot to change it.
     Murphy, assistant director of the Perkins Student Center, uses his
e-mail to express his love of sports. Recently, his message read, "Go
Phillies!"
     Murphy said he is not a big fan of that team but wanted to show his
support since the Phils have been doing so well this season. His phrases
usually reflect whatever mood strikes him on a given day.
     "Since I'm known for my sense of humor and also as a big sports fan,
no one really takes me too seriously with my messages," he said.
     When he went on a golfing trip, his message stated, "Gone golfing till
next Monday."
     According to Murphy, the only response he ever got to a message was
when someone replied, through e-mail, "Stop golfing and get back to work."
He said he returned and forgot to change his message. He added that it
makes it more interesting when people reply.
     Others use these personal messages as a way to express their feelings
about the work week. One message, by Karin Jacobs, service coordinator in
housing and residence life, stated, "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go."
     Another favorite comes from McMullen, senior secretary in recreation
and intramural programs, who has used, "Is it Friday yet?"
                                        -Torra DeLano-Nuttall