Mail delivery protocols to student housing vary depending on the characteristics of the student housing community being served. Below are general guidelines for establishing new mail service.
Mail is delivered to dormitory buildings and residence halls when addressed to a specific building. Mail is delivered in bulk to a designated representative of the school or property in the building. The representative is responsible for further distribution to students/residents. The Postal Service will determine the proper mode of delivery to be established and may require that designees from the student housing property be identified to accept mail for each location prior to initiating delivery.
The Postal Service defines a dormitory building or residence hall as a building that consists of single or multi-room units that may share or have access to centrally located kitchens, bathrooms, showers, or social or common areas. Whether located on or off campus, and regardless of private ownership, such buildings are nevertheless dormitories and either the school or building owner is responsible for the final delivery of student mail. Post Office personnel do not distribute mail into apartment-type mailboxes for dormitories or residence halls.
As always, it is important to contact your local USPS Growth Manager early in the planning process to ensure understanding and requirements related to providing mail delivery for your new student housing development.
