All of these messages take up valuable storage space on computer systems, and waste an incredible amount of professional time and resources. Users are encouraged to think carefully before sending out a global message to a large group of people on campus. If it is inappropriate to send a message across campus using the WJU resources of paper, toner, and campus mail, then it is probably inappropriate to send the same message via e-mail. Moods and emotions are difficult to convey in an e-mail message. Without the voice inflections and body language of personal communications, it is easy for a remark meant to be funny to be misinterpreted.
Subtle humor tends to get lost in an e-mail message.
Symbols have been developed to help communicate the intended tone of a message. These are useful ways to add a little personality to an electronic note. Don't use a string of capital letters unless necessary. Use asterisks only when necessary, overuse will render them ineffective and annoying. The same copyright laws that apply to printed material also apply to e-mail.