Mail and Shipping

ECE Mailing/Shipping Instructions

Campus Mail

For Campus Mail between buildings, be sure to include the mail code (MC-___). Here is a link to current mail codes.  then it can go directly into the campus mail box which is right by the freight elevator on the first floor. There are also other locations on campus to drop campus mail. They will also accept library book return.

Procedure for using Campus Mail
  1. Make out the address as you would any other piece of mail. However, next to the name of the intended recipient, include the mail code in parenthesis. Ex. Jeremy Sykes (MC 702). Rm 4060, 306 N. Wright St., Urbana, IL 61801.
  2. Include a return address, and use our Mail Code next to your name (MC 702). This way your mail can be returned if it needs to be.
  3. Please take care with your envelopes and packaging. Campus Mail has a 10 pound rule. I don’t know what happens to mail that violates this rule, and they don’t say. It likely stays where it is. Note that I don’t think they are weight such packages, so something that is slightly over the weight limit is likely ok.
  4. If your package is overly large but still under the weight limit, you might have to drop it off at Campus Mail yourself. You can also contact them to arrange a pickup (217-333-9350, printing@illinois.edu.) They are located at 54 E. Gregory Drive.
  5. Pickup is once a day. Mail returns to the sorting center, so same day delivery is unlikely.
  6. Delivery to University of Illinois-Springfield is NOT a service of Campus Mail
  7. Delivery to University of Illinois-Chicago IS a service, and has two drop boxes.

Regular Mail

For regular mail going off campus, ECE uses the United States Postal Service (USPS). Please be sure it is labelled properly per USPS guidelines and take it down to Phil. He has pink stickers which are prepaid by the dept, and will apply them to the mail. Campus mail will pick these items up once a day, and will send them out and handle billing.

If you are mailing a get well or condolence card being sent by the dept then we can use the pink USPS stickers downstairs.

If you are doing a mailing and feel that the cost should be billed to a specific fund, merely provide the fund number to Phil Duonnolo in the Supply Center, 1031 ECEB when you drop it off.

Note that if your mailing or packages requires insurance or some expedited from USPS, service you will need to deal directly with Phil when you set up the mailing, we have no direct procedure for this when it comes to USPS.

If you are sending personal mail with your own stamps or postage;  there is a USPS drop box in the Beckman parking lot circle see pictures below.

The Beckman Institute USPS Box, West looking East.
The Beckman Institute USPS Box, East looking West.

United Parcel Service

ECE uses United Parcel Service (UPS) to ship packages that require special care or expedited delivery.  please see Phil Duonnolo in the Supply Center, 1031 ECEB. Note that anything dangerous or restricted must be labeled properly. Naturally, there are some items that the department simply will not mail, however many departments on campus that use chemicals and biological samples use UPS and Fedex for their shipping needs. So if you have a parcel with special restrictions come find the Office Manager and he will research how to properly ship the item.

Procedure for using UPS
  1. Fill out this form, provided by facilities.
  2. Note that Contact Person is just if the recipient provides a “Care of” or if it is unclear who may end up receiving the package when it arrives.
  3. If you do not have the phone number of the recipient, that is fine. Use your own. UPS and Fedex require a phone number if there is a problem with delivery.
  4. Note that there are different rates for next day, 2nd day, ground. Ground shipping is 1-3 days, and you can calculate the rate here. This is one of the cheaper options. 2 or 3 day air is guaranteed to arrive at the specified time, you can calculate the rate, here. Next day air is the most expensive, you can calculate the rate, here. Note that Phil will take care of the rate, you just need to decide which service to use.
  5. You do not need to include insurance, however if the object you are shipping is the result of experimentation and cost a certain amount, you might consider adding some. This wizard may help to figure out how to bill.
  6. You must include the CFOP, and you must therefore have permission from the Fund owner. Phil does not require proof of approval, but if the fund executor disputes the charge, you may have to pay for it yourself.
  7. Ptags and State of Illinois Tags denote inventoried property of the university. In most cases, this will not apply to you. However, if you are mailing a computer back to the manufacturer or for maintenance, then you will have to include Ptag number.
  8. Print out and save a copy of the completed form. *You can ignore the word “over” at the bottom of the form, there is no second page.
  9. Bring the remaining copy down to Phil, with the fully packaged item.

If you are using pre-paid labels for UPS, Fedex, Amazon, etc. then they can just be brought down to facilities and left on the counter for pickup, which Facilities will schedule.

Feel free to contact Phil with any questions you may have, or to approach the OM, or any other OM in the building with your questions.

Fedex 

ECE does not use FedEx, however, other departments within the university can, so accommodation may be made. The College of Veterinary Medicine has a daily FedEx Drop off area, however, it is in a restricted area and would need to be arranged.

However, the FedEx location on Green Street is probably the best bet for drop off. If there is no other recourse, but to use FedEx, you may contact the OM and bring him with you to the Green Street location and he can pay the charge with his P-Card.