GENERAL RULES FOR ALL CLASSES OF MAIL

  • Include your return address on all outgoing mail. 

  • Type the sender and return address in an uppercase, bold (12pt.) BLOCK STYLE font with single spacing. 

  • Keep flaps up for sealing on 9.5" x 4.13" envelopes. 

  • Seal manila envelopes and overstuffed envelopes. 

  • Do not use red or very dark paper for self-mailers; the red ink of the meter stamp will not be visible. Call for letter trays when sending large mailings. 

  • Avoid using staples. 

  • The zip code for Bridgewater State College is 02325. The zip code for the town of Bridgewater is 02324.  

  • When using window envelopes, please be sure the complete address is clearly visible in the window at all times. 

  • Due to new postal regulations we cannot accept packages over one pound with postage stamps affixed. They must be taken to the post office. The completed envelope should have the return address in the top left corner and the sender address should be approximately 2" down and 4" over.

FIRST CLASS MAIL
All off-campus mail is sent out as FIRST CLASS MAIL unless specified otherwise. First class mail does not have to be in zip code or any other particular order.

CERTIFIED MAIL
CERTIFIED MAIL is available when a signature of receipt is desired. Fill out Bar-coded receipt (white copy) and return receipt card (green card) completed. Foreign mail cannot be certified. The certified mail receipt (white copy) is attached to the front of the envelope in lower left hand corner and the return receipt request (green card) is attached to the back of the envelope.

PRIORITY MAIL
Envelopes are available at Mail Services when standard U.S. MAIL is not fast enough. It usually takes two days, but there is no guarantee and no signature required on receipt. GLOBAL PRIORITY MAIL is available for international mail.

EXPRESS MAIL
EXPRESS MAIL is available when a letter or package must arrive at its destination the next day (two days for some locations). This service is guaranteed and requires a signature when delivered. INTERNATIONAL EXPRESS MAIL is available for most foreign destinations. Envelopes are available at Mail Services.

INTERNATIONAL MAIL
Please separate foreign mail from domestic mail. Include the name of the country, written in English. PRIORITY and EXPRESS mail services are available to many foreign countries. Please call for information on specific countries. All mail going to foreign countries must be in envelopes or shrink wrapped (as with catalogs). Oversized foreign mail (catalogs, printed matter, packages) now require a signed customs form from the sender. These forms are available at Mail Services. Please sign in both places as indicated on the form.

PACKAGES
Packages should be securely packed and clearly addressed. Return address (including department) belongs in upper left hand corner, and destination clearly marked in center of package. Size 12 pt. font is appropriate for the address. All packages are sent as FIRST CLASS MAIL unless specified otherwise. Packages sent at a less expensive class, parcel post, or book rate will take several days longer to arrive at their destination.

INSURED PACKAGES
Packages can be insured for a modest fee. The United States Postal Service provides up to $600.00 insurance. If you need more insurance, you can send the package by UNITED PARCEL SERVICE. Mark clearly the amount of insurance you want.

UNITED PARCEL SERVICE
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE is an independent service not affiliated with the United States Postal Service. If you want your packages sent through UPS instead of the USPS, you must let us know. Most Bridgewater State College packages are sent out through the United States Postal Service.

CAMPUS MAIL
When sending mail to faculty and staff, please include department, not room number. We do not currently use room numbers. When reusing envelopes, be sure to cross out previous addresses and mark new address clearly. Please separate large campus mailings by department.

RESIDENT STUDENTS
When sending mail to resident students, please do not use name and address labels. Fold letters in thirds and wrap in bundles of 200. We will see that one is placed in each mailbox. Please allow at least three or four days for mailings to be put in their boxes. There are approximately 2000 resident students. Mail boxes of resident students are emptied and mail is forwarded to them on all school breaks. It is requested that home addresses be used one week prior to and during all school breaks.

POST CARDS
Post cards should not be larger than 4 ½" x 6" .0095 thick and no smaller than 3 ½" x 5" .007 thick.

NON PROFIT MAILINGS
Non profit mailing is a mailing that is not time sensitive and postage costs are greatly reduced. Each Non profit mailing requires a minimum of 200 pieces. Each piece should be exactly alike. A letter in a Non profit mailing can take as long as two weeks to arrive to its destination. All large mailings are not Non profit mailings. When preparing a Non profit mailing, arrange letters in zip code order in mail trays. Do not use paper clips, elastics or sticky notes to separate zip codes. Be sure to specify that you wish the mailing to go Non profit rate. When using self-mailers (a mailing with no envelopes) please use white or light colored paper because the meter stamp is red and must be clearly visible.  We suggest having our permit # 9 Indicia preprinted or using # 9 stamps available in the mailroom. A piece count must be included with each Non profit mailing.Fold self-mailers in thirds as shown and affix address label in center. Please do not use tape or staples.

BUSINESS REPLY
When a letter or survey is being mailed and it requires a response, we suggest you use Business Reply envelopes. When using Business Reply envelopes, you are only charged for the mail returned in response. Business Reply envelopes are available at Mail Services. Your department name should be stamped as the return address to inform Mail Services which department is sending out the mailing and to insure that the responses are returned to the proper department. Mail returned by this procedure will be charged to department accounts. On a 37¢ letter, the charge will be 43¢.

Last Modified: October 31, 2003