We use another system for our admissions processes. First of all, "mass" emails are managed in a different location than one-off emails. So similar to being able to click on the email address from the profile in Populi, we can do the same thing, except we can continue to do so even if someone has opted out of mass emails.
Second, when setting up new "mass" emails in that system, we have the option of selecting whether to offer the "unsubscribe" option or not. We should default to letting people unsubscribe, but there are use cases when emails are considered "transactional" (notices about applications, financial aid, etc). In this case, we can select for students to not be able to opt out of the mailing. Here is an image of what those setting look like:
It is really helpful - and even crucial - to have a distinction between unsubscribing from mass emails like "classes cancelled today" vs transactional emails like "your loan has been disbursed" or just being able to email a student in a one-off scenario from Populi in order to track communications with that student.
Right now, Populi only offers all or nothing opt in/out of emails. Students don't realize the full extent of what they are "unsubscribing" from.