Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the Virginia Tech Mail Services FAQ section for student mail and package delivery! This resource is designed to answer your most common questions about receiving mail and packages on campus. We aim to make the process as smooth as possible, whether you're awaiting a letter, a care package from home, or an important shipment.
If you have any questions that aren't covered here, please email us at studentpackage@vt.edu so that we may assist you. We're committed to ensuring your mail and packages are delivered efficiently and securely.
Start with your full name to help the mail room identify who the package is for. Next, write the street address of your dorm followed by your room number. This, along with your first and last name, provides Virginia Tech staff with all the information needed to get your package to you. Finish with the city ("Blacksburg, VA") and the zip code ("24061"), directing the carrier to bring the packages to Blacksburg.
Example Address:
First and Last Name
Dorm Street Address, Room Number
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Click here to see your dorm’s street address. Packages and mail arriving without proper addressing will be delayed or returned to the sender.
Use the Campus Resident Portal to track your items once they've arrived and are processed in your name. You can also submit High Priority Package and Alternate Recipient notices for qualifying items. Best practice includes sending a Standard Package notice for each item you're expecting to help ensure timely, accurate delivery.
No, you must only fill out one form for your package. Note: High-Priority Packages are medications, documents, perishables, and electronics. Misuse in submitting the high-priority form can result in a student conduct referral.
If you've made an error with your package, such as a mistake in the address or other details, follow these steps:
- Email Mail Services: Send an email to studentpackage@vt.edu with your full name and the tracking number of the package. Explain the mistake clearly in the email. Please try to send the email from your vt.edu account as this allows us to verify your identity with the package.
- Wait for a Response: Mail services will check the status of your package and help correct the error.
- Be Patient and Avoid Multiple Emails: Keep in mind that sending multiple emails about the same issue can actually delay the response, as each new email might send your request to the back of the queue. It's best to send one detailed email and wait for a response.
- Fill out a Package form: Sign into the Campus Resident Portal and submit a package form, as doing this can help resolve any issues with improper addressing and expedite processing.
By contacting us quickly and providing the right details, you can help resolve any issues with your package before they are delayed or returned.
After receiving a carrier's delivery notification, fill out a package form. Sign into the VT Resident Portal to submit a package form, as doing this can help resolve any potential issues with improper addressing and expedite processing. Wait for a confirmation email from Mail Services, which indicates your package is ready for pickup. During busy periods like the start of the semester, this may take longer. You can also check your package status on the Campus Resident Portal under "View My Packages".
If you don't receive an email from Mail Services within 1-2 business days after a carrier's delivery notification, check your spam or junk folder. If it's not there, especially during busy times like the start of a semester, give it up to 3-4 days. If you still haven't heard anything, follow these steps:
- Email Mail Services: Send an email to studentpackage@vt.edu with your full name and the tracking number of the package. Explain the situation clearly in the email. Please try to send the email from your vt.edu account to verify your identity with the package.
- Wait for a Response: Mail services will check the status of your package and help resolve the issue.
- Be Patient and Avoid Multiple Emails: Sending multiple emails about the same issue can delay the response, as each new email might send your request to the back of the queue. It's best to send one detailed email and wait for a response.
To find your package and mail pickup location, sign into the Campus Resident Portal and check the "View My Packages" section. Alternatively, refer to your ready-for-pickup email notifications. Bring your physical Hokie Passport ID, as it is required for item pickup. Note that pictures of a Hokie Passport ID are not accepted. For changes in operating hours or pickup locations, check the mail services website or your email, especially during university breaks and holidays.
For special items, such as perishable items or large packages, you have the following facilities available:
- Coolers: Upon arrival, perishable items are placed in coolers to keep them fresh.
- No Freezers: There are no facilities to store frozen items, so it’s best not to send things that need to be kept frozen.
- Avoid Perishable Foods: Because of the limited refrigeration options, it's recommended to avoid sending perishable food items that require strict temperature control.
- Transportation for Large Items: Hand trucks are available to help you move heavy or bulky packages from the mailroom to your dorm room. Please note that mail services require an ID to borrow a hand truck.
- Fill out a High Priority Package form: Sign into the Campus Resident Portal and submit a high priority package form for perishable packages. This helps us identify and place them in a cooler immediately upon arrival.
- Fill out a Standard Package form: Sign into the Campus Resident Portal and submit a standard package form for large packages.
Please pick up your packages within seven business days of receiving the notification email from Mail Services. Prompt collection helps us manage space efficiently, ensuring quicker availability of incoming packages. Delayed pickups result in packages being returned to the sender. Be sure to check your email regularly, especially during peak times like the start of the semester, as timely pickups help maintain smooth operations for everyone.
If you've moved off campus, it's important to update your address promptly because any mail or packages sent to your old campus address will be returned to the sender with no exceptions. Here’s what you need to do:
- Update Your Address: Immediately log into your HOKIE SPA account and update your mailing address in the address change section.
- Notify Important Contacts: Inform friends, family, and any businesses (such as banks, online retailers, and subscription services) of your new off-campus address.
- Go to Your Frequent Shopping Sites: Access your account settings on each online shopping site where you are registered.
- Update Shipping Address: Navigate to the section where your shipping addresses are stored, and either add your new off-campus address or edit the existing one. Set the new address as your default to ensure all future orders are directed there.
- Review Past Orders: If you have any pending orders, check if you can update the shipping address for those as well, especially if they haven’t been shipped yet.
No, packages and mail are not delivered directly to dorm rooms. All items are sent to an off-campus package center for processing. Once your mail or packages are ready, you will receive an email from Mail Services indicating the pickup location. This procedure ensures the safety and efficient handling of all student packages and mail on campus.
You can pick up your parking pass at the Owens Mail Room. Make sure to wait for an email from Mail Services confirming that your pass is ready for pickup before you go there. This email will ensure that your pass is available when you arrive. To check on the status of your parking pass, sign into the Campus Resident Portal and check the "View My Packages" section.
You can pick up your voting ballot at the Owens Mail Room. Make sure to wait for an email from Mail Services confirming that your voting ballot is ready for pickup before you go there. This email will ensure that your voting ballot is available when you arrive. To check on the status of your voting ballot, sign into the Campus Resident Portal and check the "View My Packages" section.
No, Owens Mail Room does not sell stamps or boxes. You can purchase these items at the campus bookstore, which typically stocks a variety of mailing supplies including stamps, boxes, and other postal necessities.