Off-topic mailings to groups, annoying by themselves, are made worse when recipients respond to all other recipients to complain, instead of responding to the original sender only. Electronic chain mail, like its physical counterpart, invites the recipient to send something, usually money, to an address in the message and then forward the message to two or more others.
Chain mail involving money is considered a form of gambling.
Whether the original message was physical or electronic, sending money through the U.S. Mail in response to chain mail violates federal law. The high volume of messages generated by mass mailings and chain mail clogs the system, slowing response time. Sending off-topic mass mailings or chain mail is a violation of University policy. It can result in temporary or permanent suspension of access to the computer network and other disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, termination of employment, or legal action. If you must reply, reply to the sender only.