Best practices for removing journal users

[Michelle_Macinsky]

Describe the issue or problem
We’re seeing an increasing number of bounceback emails from automated OJS notifications being sent to users whose institutional email accounts have been deactivated.

We’d like to prevent OJS from sending automated emails to these inactive users, but we’re unsure of the recommended approach.

What is the best way to manage user accounts with invalid email addresses while preserving any submission, review, or editorial history associated with those accounts? For example, should these users be disabled, removed from journal roles, or managed another way?

I’m also interested in any impact that disabling or removing users may have when those accounts are tied to active or historical submissions.

What application are you using?
OJS 3.4.0.9

[rcgillis]

Hi @Michelle_Macinsky,

@Michelle_Macinsky

What is the best way to manage user accounts with invalid email addresses while preserving any submission, review, or editorial history associated with those accounts? For example, should these users be disabled, removed from journal roles, or managed another way?

Your best bet to probably disable them, if they’re legitimate users and you’re aiming to preserve their interactions within the system (submissions, activity, etc)
(https://docs.pkp.sfu.ca/learning-ojs/3.4/en/users-and-roles#users)

-Roger
PKP Team

[Michelle_Macinsky]

Thanks Roger! I tested disabling a few of these users in our system, and they still appear to receive some automated emails, like Editorial Reminder messages. Is that expected behavior when a user account is disabled?