Skip to Content

Mail Services

Classes of Mail

First-Class Mail
First-class mail is used for postcards, letters, large envelopes and small packages. First-class mail must weigh 13 ounces or less. USPS first-class delivery is given priority over standard mail. Any hand addressed envelope or certified return receipt letter is considered first-class mail. First-class mail must be metered or stamped at the first-class rate. If you are not sure you have a first-class item, just ask us!

  1. Matter wholly or partially handwritten or type-written (including identical copies prepared by automatic type writer), originals or carbons, invoices, (except when accompanying the matter to which they are related), postal cards, post cards.
  2. Matter sealed and closed against postal inspection.
  3. Bills and statements of account, regardless of method of preparation or quantity of identical pieces mailed, except authorized enclosures in or attachments to Periodical or Standard mail.
  4. Price lists with written-in figures changing items or prices.
  5. Any business reply mail.
  6. Any certified and registered mail.
  7. Blank printed forms filled out in writing, including cancelled or uncancelled checks.
  8. A computer printout may or may not be First Class matter. It depends on the content. Contact Mail Services for additional information.
  9. If you are not sure if it is First Class, ask us!

 

Priority Mail
All First Class Mail exceeding 13 ounces and not exceeding 70 pounds is considered priority mail and, at the option of the mailer, any mail weighing 13 ounces or less. There is no minimum weight limitation. There is a flat rate up to 1 pound. Priority Mail service carries no guarantee and is advertized by the USPS as a 2-day delivery service.

 

Standard Mail
The following items qualify as Standard Mail aka Bulk Mail:

Circulars
Booklets
Merchandise
Photographs
Catalogs
Newsletters
Product Samples
Printed Matter

Each piece of Standard Mail must be less than 16 ounces. Anything heavier must be mailed as Parcel Post or Priority Mail.
The specification for size and surcharge for single piece Standard Mail weighing one ounce or less are the same as for First Class.

 

Package Services / Parcel Post
The following are considered Parcel Post:

Supplies

Library Materials

Media Mail:
Sound Recordings
Computer Media
Films

Books
Bound Printed Matter

Merchandise
Video Tapes

Each item must not exceed 70 pounds in weight and a maximum size of 108″ in length and girth combined.

FAQ

Dorm Mail FAQ

Department Mail FAQ

General FAQ

Mail Pick-up & Delivery

Mail is delivered to and picked up from most University departments once each day, Monday through Friday.

Residence Halls receive one delivery (of inter-campus mail only*) twice a week.

*inter-campus mail is dorm to dorm or dorm to department that does not require USPS paid postage or post mark.

Residence Hall mail with postage is handled separately by a United States Postal Service Carrier they deliver mail directly to the Residence Hall. Residence life may be contacted about dorm mail at 512.245.3705.

Mail Services will only handle Residence Hall mail with postage when the Residence Halls are closed for the summer. That mail will be picked up from the local USPS. It will then be sorted by an employee from the Housing and Residential Life Department and then sent to the appropriate place.

Mail can be dropped off at Copy Cats and the JCK Mail Room and it will be picked up from those locations once a day.

All outgoing off-campus mail must leave Mail Services by 4:00 p.m. to be taken down to the local USPS. Mail that is dropped off after that time will be processed the next business day. It is best for walk ins that bring mail to do so before 3:30 to ensure Mail Services has time to process it same day.