They probably don't consider themselves (and, as a University, could probably make a strong case) that it's not Unsolicited Commercial Email (UCE), which is the only thing that CAN-SPAM applies to.
And I have to disagree with the OP, though, because the only people who obey CAN-SPAM are the people who are generally not actually real spammers.
CAN-SPAM really only helps you get unsubscribed from marketing emails, not actually spam at all. As with all laws, outlaws will ignore them while law-abiding citizens get caught by them. Real spammers don't care and casually flout laws until, finally, they get caught by technological means.
As usual, the regulations are too little, too late, and apply to a completely different group of people than is even named in the title.
> CAN-SPAM really only helps you get unsubscribed from marketing emails, not actually spam at all
Some of us consider ALL marketing emails to be "spam", with the sole carve out being if the user consciously and actively opted in.
I have no problem with marketing newsletters existing if people enjoy receiving and reading them. But if you email me without my active solicitation then it's no different than a door to door salesman physically knocking on your door when you don't expect it and don't welcome the interruption.
I will happily concede that legal definitions may differ from my own. But on a personal level, I apply the "Hollywood principle": "Don't call me, I'll call you." If you call me (or email, or knock on my door, or mail me a physical snail-mail letter) and I'm not expecting it, and it is of a commercial nature, it's my definition of spam.
And I have to disagree with the OP, though, because the only people who obey CAN-SPAM are the people who are generally not actually real spammers.
CAN-SPAM really only helps you get unsubscribed from marketing emails, not actually spam at all. As with all laws, outlaws will ignore them while law-abiding citizens get caught by them. Real spammers don't care and casually flout laws until, finally, they get caught by technological means.
As usual, the regulations are too little, too late, and apply to a completely different group of people than is even named in the title.