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Mail & Package Services FAQ

All items sent to students residing on the Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ campus must be completely and correctly addressed with...

The recipient’s complete name as listed in the Housing Portal, and the recipient’s complete and correct  address as listed in the Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ Mail & Package Center site.  

Mail to students should be addressed:

  • Student Name
  • Package Center Address
  • Building Abbreviation - Room Number
  • Evanston, IL 60201

Example:

  • Willie Wildcat
  • 2420 Campus Dr.
  • GDR-301
  • Evanston, IL 60201

 

When Are Packages Accepted for Fall Term?

Packages or mail will not be accepted for Fall Quarter until September 3, 2024. Any shipments arriving prior to this date will be Returned to Sender or Forwarded to any address on file in CAESAR. 

On Campus Mail Deliveries 

Mail Services receives, sorts, and delivers U.S. Postal Mail and packages to on-campus university housing Monday through Friday three days per week during university business hours. Mailbox locations can be identified at this Mail & Package page or at the Housing Portal. 

Items to be returned to sender include

Items arriving by private carrier (UPS, FEDEX, DHL, Amazon, etc.) addressed to recipient names not listed in the Housing file including Faculty/ Staff/ former residents.   

Expired items not collected within the 60-day holding time or private carrier items.  

Prohibited Items, which have not received a response within 14 days of receiving (and recipient notification).  

Please note that if you need an item held longer than beyond the stated times above, please email the MPC and we will hold it longer, if it is reasonable for us to do so.  

Items delivered to the wrong MPC

Items arriving at the incorrect MPC Location will be relocated approximately once a week during the academic year. The MPC location will notify the recipient of the actual location if the recipient requests to pick up the item prior it being relocated.  

Reasons for these types of delays are typically caused by carrier error, something that the MPCs try to address as the deliveries occur but can be difficult to prevent when large volumes of deliveries occur. Additionally, using incorrect or outdated address information can also cause this issue to occur.  

I can't open my mailbox


Opening your mailbox can be confusing. This video walks you through the process for opening your mailbox. 

Here are some other key points to remember:
  • Check the Housing Portal for your mailbox location and combination for the lock
  • Remember to turn the dial to the left first (many combo locks spin to the right)
  • If you are still having difficulty, check with your MPC - we are here to help!

Mail Forwarding  - What is the process?

  • Forwarding Process 
    • First-Class Mail and USPS Packages: These will be forwarded for up to 1 year to the current address on file in CAESAR (or Permanent if Current is a university housing mailing address).  
    • It’s recommended that you complete a mail-forwarding request with the USPS.  
    • Here is a link to information on how to update your information in CAESAR. 
    • If you’re a current resident, any mail not collected by the end of the academic year will be sent to Current or Permanent address on file in CAESAR. 
    • Please note USPS will not forward mail to non-United States addresses. 
  • The following Items will be returned to sender: 
    • Private Carrier Packages (Amazon, UPS, FedEx, etc.). 
    • USPS Packages or First-Class Mail after moving out of University Housing beyond 1 year.  
  • Additional steps  
    • Remember to update your mailing address with third parties:  
      • Businesses from which you order goods.  
      • Banks 
      • Magazine providers 
      • Student Organizations 

Missorted Mail 

Please bring any missorted mail to the nearest MPC. You may also provide feedback via the MPC Feedback Forms. 

Returns/ Unclaimed Packages 

If a student fails to retrieve their item(s) during the quarter, it will become eligible for return/forwarding at the end of the semester. Your package will be held for 60 days at the end of the semester. At the end of the 60 days, it will be returned/forwarded   

*Please note that this will go into effect during Spring Quarter 2024.*  

Abandoned Packages

If a package is unable to be returned to the sender, the package will be considered abandoned property after 60 days and discarded.

Food Delivery 

Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ Mail & Package Center is not responsible for food deliveries from Amazon Fresh, Grub Hub, Walmart, Door Dash, or Uber Eats. Food deliveries should be coordinated through each driver to the designated location at your residence hall. 

Prohibited Items

An email will be sent to the recipient if an item is flagged as Prohibited.  

If a student responds to the email providing more information or seeking clarification on the policy within 14 Days of Receipt, staff will pull the item from the outgoing mail shelf and set it aside, so it is not immediately returned. The MPC Manager will then alert the Assistant Director for Community Standards and Operations.   

If the student receives approval to retrieve the item, they will show the email from the Resident Director to staff at the MPC and the package will be released for delivery.  

More information about Prohibited Items please refer to the Student Handbook, Page 62.  

Package Lockers located at the MPC at Kemper Hall 

Kemper MPC has a Package Locker which can be used to receive shipments. If you are interested in receiving shipments through the lockers, click on the following link: https://forms.dosa.northwestern.edu/view.php?id=2328147 

A small number of shipments are assigned to the Lockers at Kemper Automatically. If you wish not to have any shipments assigned to the Lockers at Kemper MPC, or if you previously signed up for locker use but wish to Opt-Out, use the following link:  

Amazon One-Time Passwords 

For certain shipments, Amazon may require a One-Time Password. For these shipments, we recommend you email the MPC with the tracking number and password information so the MPC’s can accept and process the shipment. If you received a one-time password from Amazon, we recommend you email the MPC with the tracking number and one-time password code so that we can accept and process the package.  

 

Plex Access- I can’t get in!

If you are having trouble accessing a door, please understand only Foster-Walker Residents have access to all the doors at Foster-Walker. If you are a South or Southwest Resident, please access the MPC at Foster-Walker by using the lobby entrance. You will need your WildCard both to pick up a package and to access the doors leading to the MPC. If you are still having issues, you may call the MPC at Kemper for help accessing the doors: 847-491-7441 

I need someone else to pick up my shipment

The MPC occasionally receives requests for others to pick up shipments on their behalf. If you wish to do so, please complete the form at this link:    

I have a heavy/large item which I am expecting to be received at the MPC. Can I borrow something to move it to my room?

Yes! We loan out flatbeds that can be used to transport heavy or large shipments. Please review the following key provisions before borrowing a flatbed: 

  • The flatbed must only be used for transporting packages from the MPC. 
  • The flatbed must be returned to the MPC within 2 hours of borrowing and before the MPC closes for the day. 
  • The resident is responsible for any damage or loss incurred. 
  • The replacement cost for the flatbed is $200. 

 

Any additional questions, you may contact the MPC via email.