Addressing

On Campus

All on-campus mail must be properly addressed. Addressing of on-campus mail should follow the format below for speed of processing and delivery to the recipient:

First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name
(No nicknames please)
Status (Student /Faculty or Department)
Campus Mail

A return address must be placed in the upper left corner of all on and off campus mail. This address ensures a prompt return to the sender of undeliverable mail. All return addresses for mail sent from the College should follow the format below:

Sender and/or Department Name
Gustavus Adolphus College
800 West College Avenue
St Peter, MN  56082

Incoming Mail

Mail received at the College from correspondents should be addressed with the following format:

First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name
Gustavus Adolphus College
Department/Student
800 College Avenue
St. Peter, MN  56082-1498

Please make sure to have a complete name and a department on all mail. When mail is delivered with just an address and no name or department, Postal Services uses all resources available to them to determine the recipient.

General Address Guidelines

USPS machinery functions most effectively if addresses are printed/typed. Use two-letter state abbreviations and place one space between the city and state, two spaces between state and ZIP Code. Abbreviations used in addressing can be confusing at times, so we've compiled a list of official Postal Service abbreviations for states, territories, and the District of Columbia, and official abbreviations for common words used in addresses.

The ZIP Code should be placed on the last line of the address, not on a line by itself. The United States Postal Service offers a fast on-line look-up service for domestic zip codes.

The Postal Service does not recognize "Attention" lines placed below the address. Place them above the address.

A firm may use both a street address and a P.O. box number in their address. Make sure that the place where delivery is to be made is the address immediately above the city, state and ZIP Code line.

Sample address formats appear below:

JOHN GOODFELLOW
PO BOX 123
ST PETER MN  56082

JOHN GOODFELLOW
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE
800 WEST COLLEGE AVENUE
ST PETER MN  56082

GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE
ATTN: JOHN GOODFELLOW
800 WEST COLLEGE AVENUE APT 4
ST PETER MN  56082

JOHN GOODFELLOW
800 WEST COLLEGE AVENUE APT 4
ST PETER MN  56082

Flat Size Mail

A flat is a mailpiece larger than 6 1/8" high by 11 1/2" wide.

New postal automation equipment has enhanced the US Postal Service's processing times but at the same time the College has experienced an increase in looped mail. Looped mail is mail that you have sent out and it sent back to you. This is a result of the automation equipment reading your return address instead of the destination address. These guidelines should improve the deliverability of your mail.

Address Block Location:

• The destination address should be at least 1" lower and 1" to the right of the return address. This is a minimum; more is preferred.
• The destination address block must be clearly separated from any extraneous text and graphics. Provide a minimum clear area of 3/8" (1/2" recommended) in each direction surrounding the address block.

The addressing format for flat addresses is the same as for letters.

Adhesive Labels:

• Place address labels on uniformly, avoiding skew (less than 5 degrees).
• We recommend not using adhesive labels for destination address with customer logo and printed return address. If used, the destination address must be 1" to the right and 1" below return address.
• Keep advertising, logos and other information clear of the destination address area.