Mail Services and FAQs

Mailing and Post Office Services

Receiving Mail and Packaging

• All students and employees receive mail and packages on campus.
• Students have an individual post office box in the Jackson Campus Center to receive their mail.
• Employees receive mail via their office or department.
• Gustavus sends and receives packages via the United States Postal Service, FedEx, and UPS.

Sending Mail and Packages

• Stamps are sold at the Mail Services window in the Jackson Campus Center.
  • Order stamps
• Packages are sent and received via the Mail Services window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Receiving Mail on Campus

How am I notified of my P.O. Box assignment?

P.O. Boxes are assigned annually. In mid August, students are notified of their assignment through campus e-mail. Please save your e-mail so you can refer to it as needed. P.O. Box assignments are also available through WebAdvisor.

What is my mail box number and combination?

An email is sent to all registered students in Mid-August each year. You can also find your mail box number and combination via webadvisor. Boxes are reassigned each year.

What is my address to receive letters and parcels?

<First Name>, <Middle Initial>, <Last Name>
Gustavus Adolphus College
Department/Student
800 College Avenue
Saint Peter MN 56082

I go by a different name than the one that is on file with the College. Does this make a difference?

It does make a difference. Please send an email with any nicknames or other names you use. We will add it to our delivery system to insure the accurate and timely delivery of your letters and parcels.

What time does the mail get placed in the student mailboxes?

The mail is placed in the student boxes starting at 9:00 a.m. The delivery is generally finished by 12:00 noon. The only times that we are not finished delivering mail (including magazines and newspapers) is when the volume is high, i.e. holidays such as Valentines Day. Even on those days, mail is always in the students' mailboxes the day it is received.

What time does Postal Services start sorting the daily mail?

Postal Services begins sorting the daily mail as soon as it arrives on campus. The College's mail sorting and delivery time requirement expands and contracts (based on volume) from two hours to four hours. All incoming mail is processed the same day it is received.

What time does the College get the daily mail?

The College picks up from the U.S. Postal Service at 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Can I call and ask if I have mail or a package in the Post Office?

For your security, Postal Services is unable to give any information regarding your mail on telephone. You must appear in person with proper identification at the College Post Office to receive information.

Sending Mail 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:

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:

Sending Mail Off Campus

Review guidelines from the United State Postal Service about costs and how to properly address mail.

Use the USPS zip code look-up site.

Sending and Receiving Packages

What time does UPS pick up outbound packages?

UPS picks up outbound packages at 10 a.m. You should have your package at the College Post Office no later than 9:00 p.m. for processing. If you have multiple packages, please plan accordingly.

What time does UPS deliver inbound packages?

Delivery time is dependent on the service paid for by the shipper.

• UPS Priority – 10:30 a.m.
• UPS Standard – 11:00 a.m.

What time does FEDEX pick up outbound packages?

FedEx picks up outbound packages at 3 p.m. You should have your package at the College Post Office no later than 3:00 p.m. for processing. If you have multiple packages, please plan accordingly.

What time does FedEx deliver inbound packages?

Delivery time is dependent on the service paid for by the shipper.

• FEDEX Ground – 8:30 a.m.
• FEDEX Express - 10:30 a.m.

How are packages processed?

Packages arrive throughout the day by several carriers. We process them in the order they are received with the exception of "express" or "overnight" packages which are processed immediately. Packages are entered into a centralized system, and the person receiving the package is notified via e-mail. Packages may be picked up at the Post Office front window during regular business hours.

How do I know if my package has arrived on the campus?

Packages that are shipped through private carriers and are assigned tracking numbers are usually trackable through the carrier's web site. The tracking response will indicate when it arrived at Postal Services. The email notifying the recipient will be sent as soon as the package is processed, usually within an hour of arriving at the College. Items mailed through the U.S. Postal Service are not trackable unless the sender has paid for additional services such as delivery confirmation. You can track packages shipped by UPS, FEDEX, and the U.S. Postal Service by clicking on the tracking button on the Postal Services homepage and the appropriate courier.

Why do I need to show my I.D. card?

For the receiver's protection we may ask to see a College ID card. This helps to guarantee that we do not release a package to the wrong person.

What time and where can I pick up my package?

Packages can be picked up at College Post Office from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Forwarding Mail - Leaving Gustavus

If you are graduating, leaving school permanently or leaving employment, Postal Services will forward first class mail and packages to your new address. Mail is forwarded to the address currently on file with the College. The postage paid by the sender determines how the forwarding is processed by carriers. There is no time limit on the forwarding of your mail. Standard mail and nonprofit mail cannot be forward and will be securely recycled. If you want to remain on their mailing lists, you will need to notify them of your new address.

Graduates: Inform the Alumni Office of address changes by emailing alumni@gustavus.eduo or submit your address change online.
Employees: Inform the Human Resource Department of address changes.