Mail and Distribution Center
The Earlham College Mail and Distribution Center is here to serve and assist Earlham’s campus community! Please let us know how we can help make your experience at Earlham College a great one.
| Location | Runyan Center, Lower level |
| Hours | Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. |
| Contact | Phone: 765-983-1529 Email: [email protected] |
We conduct only cash transactions. We do not accept credit/debit cards or checks, and we cannot charge your student account.
Our services
We provide mail and shipping services to the campus community, which includes receiving and sending mail and packages as well as return service drop-off.
| Service | Amenities |
|---|---|
| USPS | Domestic and international mail service with Standard, Priority, Express Overnight, Registered, Certified, Insured, and Media Mail options |
| UPS | Shipping & returns |
| Fed Ex | Shipping & returns |
We can also assist you with a feature called “Ship Shop,” that will display all of your shipping options, allowing the sender to choose a carrier by the preferred delivery time and associated costs. We will need an address and the package to use this feature.
For Earlham College business, we receive a discounted rate for shipping through all three carriers; however, all community members may use these services.
As an independent mail and distribution center, we adhere to all mailing and shipping regulations set forth by each carrier.
Our products
| Stamps (including international) | Parcel postage (for packages) |
| Priority mail | Priority express mail |
| Certified mail | Shipping supplies/packaging |
| Envelopes |
Important information
You are assigned a “drawer number” for a postage box located around the perimeter of the Mail and Distribution Center. We sort incoming mail daily and place it in your drawer.
You will receive a three number or three letter combination.
For combinations of numbers
Turn left three times, landing on the first number on the third turn. Then turn right, passing the second number once and landing on it the second turn. Finally, turn left and land on the last number. Twist knob to open.
For combinations of letters
Turn right three times, landing on the first letter on the third turn. Then turn left, passing the second letter once and landing on it the second turn. Finally, turn right and land on the last letter. Twist knob to open.
For combinations containing two letters or two numbers
Turn the dial until it is in the middle of the two. Opening your mail drawer may take practice. Mail and Distribution Center staff may not be available to retrieve your mail even during open hours, so we encourage you to become comfortable opening your mail drawer.
Please use the following format when giving your address to others and when using it as a return address to ensure prompt accurate delivery. Always include your “drawer” number since many people on campus have the same first or last names. Never use “PO Box” or “Box” as it may change the destination of your package.
| Required Format | Example |
|
Your Name (First and Last)
|
Timothy Branson
|
When sending mail, use the same format for your return address (Top left corner of envelope or package). The recipient’s address should go directly in the middle of the envelope or package:
Please conduct all mail and shipping business at one of the two service windows.
We receive package deliveries up to five times each day. When you receive a package, you will receive an e-mail notification from our Mail and Distribution Center. (A notification from the carrier does not indicate that we received your package!) Please bring your student ID and pick up packages at the “Parcel Pick Up” window. We will not release your packages unless you present your student ID. If you delegate someone else to pick up your package, you must notify the Post Office in advance and provide the name of the delegate, who must present a student ID.
Present your package(s) at one of the two service windows (not the Parcel Pick Up). Please ensure that all packages are boxed, taped and addressed before presenting them for posting and mailing or we can assist you for a small additional fee. When shipping internationally, please complete a “Customs Declaration” label at USPS.com and present that label with the package for shipping.
Federal law prevents us from mailing any package that contains “hazardous” materials. Therefore, we may ask the following questions to make that determination: Does your package contain anything liquid, fragile, perishable or with batteries? All can be mailed but sometimes with conditions.
When returning packages through a “Return Service,” please present the package already labeled with the “Return Shipping Label” provided by the shipping service. We cannot generate one for you.
If sending domestic packages (anything other than a flat envelope), keep in mind that the label you prepare will get covered with a bar-coded label with our mailer ID (for discounted costs).
International packages will require a sender-generated customs declaration mailing label.