Mail FAQs

• What is Certified Mail™ ?

  With Certified Mail™ you can be sure your article arrived at its destination with access to online delivery information. When you use Certified Mail™, you receive a receipt stamped with the date of mailing. A unique article number allows you to verify delivery online. As an additional security feature, the recipient's signature is obtained at the time of delivery and a record is maintained by the Post Office™. For an additional fee, you can request a copy of the signature record before or after delivery with Return Receipt.

• What is Registered Mail™ ?

  Items you send with Registered Mail™ are placed under tight security from the point of mailing to the point of delivery, and insured up to $25,000 against loss or damage. And you can verify the date and time of delivery and the delivery attempts online. Registered Mail™  to Canada is subject to a $1,000 indemnity limit. To all other foreign countries, the indemnity limit is currently $40.45.

• What is Collect on Delivery (COD) mail?

  Any mailer may use the Collect on Delivery (COD) service to mail an article for which the mailer has not been paid and have its price and the cost of the postage collected from the recipient. If the recipient pays the amount due by check payable to the mailer, the United States Postal Service (USPS) forwards the check to the mailer. If the recipient pays the amount due in cash, the USPS collects the money order fee(s) from the recipient and sends a postal money order(s) to the mailer. The amount collected from the recipient may not exceed $1,000. COD service provides the mailer with a mailing receipt, and a delivery record is maintained by the USPS.

• What is Insured Mail?

  Security is key when you're sending valuables through the mail. Whether you are sending jewelry, antiques or just expensive clothing, getting insurance provides that security. Insure your package only for what its contents are worth; you're only covered for the actual value at the time and place of mailing.
  
  Fee . . . . . . . . Insurance Coverage
  $1.35 ................ $0.01 to $50
  $2.30 ................ $50.01 to $100
  $3.35 ................ $100.01 to $200
  $4.40 ................ $200.01 to $300
  $5.45 ................ $300.01 to $400
  $6.50 ................ $400.01 to $500

• What is Express Mail®?

  Express Mail® is the fastest mail service offered by the Post Office™. It provides guaranteed expedited service for any mailable material. Express Mail® delivery is offered 365 days a year, including Sundays and holidays. Express Mail® packaging supplies (envelopes, boxes, tubes) are available for free from your local post office. If getting your mail there overnight is your highest priority, then Express Mail® is the best choice. Many businesses use First-Class Mail® for standard mail or for regular mailings and Express Mail® for important business documents, like contracts and sales orders.

  • Express Mail® rates are based on the weight of the piece, without regard for how far the piece travels.
  • Flat rate envelope: $14.40 is charged for anything mailed in the special flat rate envelope provided by the USPS, regardless of weight.
• Where can I buy United States postage stamps for my department?

  Stamps are no longer available for purchase on campus. Please visit one of these alternatives which are near campus for your stamp needs:

  USPS North End Branch at 60 E. Milwaukee Street, Detroit MI 48202

  University Foods at 1131 W. Warren Ave, Detroit MI 48201

  CVS at 350 E. Warren Ave, Detroit MI 48202

  Visit the United State Postal Services for more information.

• How can I determine the cost of postage?

  Please visit Postage Rate Calculator (http://postcalc.usps.com/)

• Can I use a personal check, OneCard or credit card to purchase stamps and money orders?

  Please contact University Pharmacy for these services.

• Can I send an international mail or package from the university?

  Since 9/11, packages and letters weighing more than 5 ounces must be processed through the United States Post Office. Packages and letters weighing less then 5 ounces can be processed through WSU Mail Services with an accompanying Postage Charge Order.

• How late can you accept USPS mail for same day processing/entry?

  All outbound mail is picked up daily between 10:30-12:30 daily. WSU outbound mail is delivered to USPS at 3:00 daily. For pick-ups after noon, special arraignments must made by calling Mail Services at 313-577-2376.

• Can I send outgoing personal mail?

  Yes, you may deposit your personal stamped mail in your outgoing box. Personal  mail will be picked up by Mail and Receiving between 10:00-12:30 M-F. Outgoing personal mail must be sealed and have the appropriate postage affixed, as we do not ensure personal mail is posted appropriately. University Mail Services does not and cannot meter personal mail. If determined personal mail is filtering through with a postage charge order, your department heads will be notified.

• Can I pickup my mail from the university mail center?

  Yes, it's suggested you contact Mail Services to determine the best time to visit.

• Can I arrange for my department to have a second university mail delivery?

  Possibly, contact the Mail Services to discuss the needs.

• How do I prepare a USPS change of address, I live in a university residence hall?

  Follow the change of address instructions if you live in Chatsworth, University Towers, or DeRoy.

  The USPS will not perform a change of address from WSU residence halls, Towers, Atchison, and Ghafari. Please ensure you have updated your address with all those you correspond with via mail. It is recommended that you perform these updates prior to moving out, as WSU does not forward mail. All mail delivered to WSU after move out will be returned to sender. Special arraignments may be possible. Please contact the individual residence hall to discuss.

  • MAIL FORWARDING - WSU Mail Services or WSU residence halls do not forward your mail to you once you've left the university. Individuals are responsible to notify correspondents of their change of address. If you receive mail for individuals who are no longer with the department, cross out the WSU completely and list the forwarding address under the words: "Please forward".If you do not have a forwarding address, cross out the WSU address and BARCODE completely and mark: Return to Sender (RTS), No Forwarding Address. Place the envelopes with your mail for pickup. If you receive unwanted mail, do not open it. Cross-out the WSU address completely along with the BARCODE at the bottom of the address and mark the envelope: Refused, Return to Sender".
  • If you are still with the university, but simply moved locations/departments. Please update that data at https://cardinal.wayne.edu/buildingassign/ so we'll know where to send your mail even if it has outdated location information.
• Size and types of envelopes?

  Please determine the proper size and strength of the envelope in accordance with the size enclosure. Overly large envelopes fail to firmly hold their contents (potential for address block to shift thus becoming illegible). The enclosures tend to move around and there is also potential risk of tearing the envelope and losing the contents. A snug fit keeps the enclosure firm in the envelope.

  • Overstuffing can cause an envelope to burst at the seams and may lead to loss of enclosure. This is also true for adding odd sized materials such as pens and zip drives.
• What is a returned receipt?

  Return receipt provides a copy of the proof of delivery record via email when requested on line. This service is available for purchase at the time of mailing with Certified Mail, Insured Mail, Registered Mail and Collection on Delivery (COD) mail.

• Can I mix domestic and international mail?

  No. Please separate domestic from international. Each will have a separate Postage Charge Order created.

• Can I use Mail Services for campus wide distributions?

  Yes, and at no charge to your department, as long as it is university related business. Mail Services will not distribute unapproved materials.

• Will Mail Services hold my mail?

  Yes. Arrangements must be made in advance for temporary holds for departments, not individuals.

• Can I retrieve mail that has already come to Mail Services?

  Once a mail item is in the possession of the University Mail Service Center, the mail item is considered processed. Retrieval of mail items, which includes campus, incoming, and outgoing mail items from the Mail Service Center, is possible, and we will do our best to accommodate, but will not guarantee. The sender may attempt retrieval from the intended addressee after delivery has been completed.

• When will I get my payroll check?

  The Mail Service Center delivers payroll checks under the procedures developed by both the Mail Service Center and Payroll Office. The Cashier's Office determines what checks are to be distributed via Mail and Receiving each pay period. checks are picked up from the Cashier's Office each payday (every other Wednesday) and are distributed same day between 10:00-12:30. Checks are delivered to authorized recipients within each department.

• Mail & Packages are perishable, do you store them properly?

  A refrigerator is located in the Mail Service Center for the storage of items that require refrigeration. Delivery to the department will occur the same or next business day. The Mail Service Center is not responsible for spoiled or damaged items.

• Pilfering of Mail?

  It is unlawful for unauthorized personnel to handle incoming U.S. Mail and Campus Mail addressed to members of the University, except as the successor to a position. Individuals may not remove, open, read, delay or dispose of mail unless as addressee or an authorized agent. Violations should be reported to the Director of Mail Service Center. The Mail Service Center is the only entity authorized to open any mail to determine destination or origin in attempting delivery or dispatch. USPS Mail violations will be referred to USPS authorities and campus mail violations to the proper campus authorities.

• Who should I use (vendor) to send a next day air letter or package?

  The university has a corporate agreement with United Parcel Service (UPS). The agreement provides a 40–60% discount on all services. UPS supplies and assistance are available by contacting UPS CampusShip at (313) 577-3618.

• How late can I send a next day air shipment with United Parcel Service?

  To determine latest pick-ups, please call 1-800-PICK-UPS^® or visit UPS . This information is also documented on each individual drop box.

• Where around campus are the UPS drop boxes?

  Mail and Receiving Services does not provide pickups for outbound UPS/Fedex shipments. To determine UPS drop box locations, please call 1-800-PICK-UPS^® or visit UPS.

• How can I get USPS supplies?

  Go to: The Postal Store
  
  Click on "my account"
  
  Under new users click on the sign-up tab to create an account
  
  Supplies are free of charge. WSU Mail and Receiving Department maintains a small surplus of these supplies as well. Please contact us at 313-577-2376 for further details.