MOVE-IN INSTRUCTIONS
Campus Mail Service offers move-in package service for all enrolled students. Students enrolled in the fall semester are able to ship packages to campus during the summer months for collection upon move-in.
** Please note that Amazon fulfillment has been sending some packages to the University via individual delivery drivers. Campus Mail cannot accept these packages as they do not come with individual tracking numbers. Most of these items have been rugs. We are attempting to work with Amazon to get this rectified, but it’s imperative that you do not select “delivery” when presented with your shipping options. All items must be shipped for receipt by Campus Mail Service. We do not accept any local deliveries because as they cannot be processed into our system because they do not have unique tracking numbers. ***
Move-In FAQs
Use the same address regardless of carrier. Use this address structure exactly:
STUDENT’S FULL NAME
MSC # __ __ __ __ __ __ (click here for information MSC and District #s)
DISTRICT # __ __
1831 UNIVERSITY STATION
TUSCALOOSA, AL 35487
Be sure to use the student’s full name. Many students have the same or similar first and last names. make sure to use the student’s correct mailstop code (MSC#). This is extremely important to ensure items are routed to the correct student. Students can access their unique MSC# by either typing "MSC" in the search box while in the student section of MyBama or by locating “Campus Services” and click on the link labeled “MSC (Mail Stop Code) Number.” If your district number isn’t displayed, you may send packages with MSC# only.
DO NOT address items to the student’s residence hall, Greek House, or to a University department. Campus Mail Service is not responsible for items that are misrouted or delivered incorrectly because of incorrect or missing address information.
Fall Semester 2024: Packages sent by students after June 1st will be processed and stored for collection during move-in. Students may begin shipping packages to the Campus Mail Service Center prior to move-in. We recommend shipping items as early as June 1, and no later than July 21. The sooner your packages arrive, the sooner we can get them processed and ready for you to pick up when you arrive on campus.
No, there is no limit to the number of packages that can be sent for move-in. Due to the high volume of shipments, and limited space, we ask that you consider buying staple items locally.
We accept trackable packages from DHL, FedEx, UPS, and the US Postal Service. We do not accept freight shipments or local deliveries such as Shipt, Instacart, Amazon delivery, Spark, flower deliveries, or other non-trackable packages.
Currently, there are no size or weight restrictions on packages that are shipped to us through UPS, FedEx, DHL, or USPS. Campus Mail Service does not accept freight shipments or local deliveries (Instacart, Amazon, SPARK, grocery store deliveries, or any shipments without tracking numbers. All packages must come through one of our accepted carriers (USPS, UPS or FedEx).
When packages arrive and are processed to the student recipient, the student will receive an initial email at their university email address letting them know that Campus Mail has taken possession of the package. During the move-in season and the first month of the spring semester, this can take 3-5 business days from the day we receive the package due to the heavy volume of items received each day. Detailed instructions on when, how, and where to pick up move-in packages will be sent to the student’s university email in August. This allows us to consolidate each student’s packages to as few pick-up locations as possible. For safety and security reasons, we cannot confirm over the phone whether or not a package has been received at our mail center.
Packages that we have received and processed to the student but that have not been collected can be viewed here.
Packages that we have received and processed to the student but that have not been collected can be viewed here.
Move in packages are stored and available for pick up at the following locations, based on the student's residence hall:
- The Campus Mail Service Center (CMSC)
- John England Hall (storm shelter)
- Witt Activity Center (storm shelter)
- Barnwell Hall
All packages received at the Campus Mail Service Center from June 1 through August 31 are not returned to the sender until October 1.
Packages received for students enrolled in the fall semester are stored for collection during move-in but will not be returned to the sender until Oct 1. Students enrolled in summer classes can collect their packages during the summer months and will receive package collection notifications and reminders with instructions on collecting their package, but if uncollected will not be returned to the sender until Oct. 1.
Packages that are being held for move-in are available for collection at one of four locations, determined by the student's housing location. We do our best to consolidate multiple packages to one pick up location, but due to the item size, type and the day received, some students will have to pick up from more than one location.
Students will receive an email in August detailing their pickup location(s) with instructions.
Items will be available at the pickup location on the student's registered move-in day, but generally packages are available up to two days prior to that date, except for locations with limited space. Available collection dates and times will be sent out with the August communications.
Picking up packages on move-in day:
- All students must present their action card (ACT) and sign for their own packages. We will not release packages to anyone other than the student recipient listed on the package.
- Please remember that you are responsible for collecting and moving all your items from the pickup location to your housing location. Often, move-in packages are large won't fit easily in passenger vehicles. Small, wheeled bins may be checked out to move items to on-campus locations but must be returned within 30 minutes. The student's driver's license or credit card must be left to check out a rolling cart.
- Pick-up Locations:
- Campus Mail Service Center – located in the Student Center, across from the Supe Store.
- Most off-campus student packages will be at this location.
- Barnwell Hall
- Witt Stom Shelter
- John England Hall
- Campus Mail Service Center – located in the Student Center, across from the Supe Store.
No, there is not a cost for the move-in package service for students living on campus. Students that live off-campus are assessed $2.50 for each package they pick up that was shipped to campus through Campus Mail Services, regardless of the time of year. This includes packages picked up from the parcel lockers as well as ones retrieved from the Campus Mail Service Center. The per-package fee will be capped at $25 per billing period (Jan. 1-May 31 and June 1-Dec. 31). For more information on the off-campus student package fee visit this link.
Campus Mail Service processes thousands of packages daily for the University campus. Though we prioritize packages with expedited service, we cannot guarantee an item will be available for the student to collect in the timeframe listed by the carrier. Additionally, Campus Mail Service is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Packages are not received on the weekends or when the University is closed.
If you decide to withdraw before you pick up your packages, you may elect to have your packages returned to the sender at no cost. If you would like to forward your packages to another address, you will have to provide Campus Mail with pre-paid shipping labels.
If you need either of these services, please fill out the Student Mail/Package Request form.
If you need either of these services, please fill out the Student Mail/Package Request form.
Due to the privacy and safety of our students, we will only provide detailed mail or package information to the student listed on the mail piece or package through communications to and from their vcrimson.edu email.