December 2012
Issue 58
Beat the Rush — Mail Early
To help customers beat the rush and know the all-important mailing and shipping deadlines, mailing early is
key and advise customers to take note of the following dates:
MAIL-BY-DATES
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





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Nov. 13 APO/FPO Parcel Post Military Deadline
Dec. 2 Priority Mail International
Dec. 9 Priority Mail Military
Dec. 10 Express Mail International
Dec. 12 Parcel Post
Dec. 19 Global Express Guaranteed
Dec. 20 First-Class Mail
Dec. 21 Priority Mail
Dec. 22 Express Mail
Simple Tips for Holiday Mailing and Shipping
Given the busy season ahead, here are a few simple tips sure to help customers avoid those holiday hassles and
keep the season merry.

Confirm addresses. Print addresses clearly and in all CAPS and be sure to include all address elements
— apartment numbers, suite numbers and directional information for streets. For example: 123 S Main
St. or 12456 Elm St. N. Include both “to” and “from” information on packages — and only on one side.
Never guess a ZIP Code. Visit usps.com to find all ZIP codes.

Choose the Right Box. Select a box that is strong enough to protect the contents. Leave space for
cushioning inside. Do not reuse mailing boxes — they weaken in the shipping process. Customers can
purchase some boxes at the Contract Postal Unit in 113 Dykstra Hall. Express Mail and Priority Mail
boxes, envelopes and tubes are free.

Pack Delicately. Cushion contents with shredded or rolled newspaper, bubble wrap or foam peanuts.
Plain air-popped popcorn also is good for cushioning — it’s inexpensive and environmentally friendly.
Pack contents tightly to avoid shifting during transit. Always use tape that is designed for shipping, such
as pressure-sensitive tape, nylon-reinforced craft paper tape or glass-reinforced pressure-sensitive tape.
Do not use wrapping paper, string, masking tape, duct tape or cellophane tape.
REMEMBER THESE DATES:
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
* December 21
* December 22
The busiest mailing day of the year.
The busiest delivery day of the year.
Addressing Military Mail Correctly
Use the service member’s full name
All mail must be addressed to someone specific; addressing mail to “Any Service Member” is no longer
permitted.
Include the unit and APO/FPO/DPO (Air/Army Post Office™, Fleet Post Office or Diplomatic Post Office)
address with the 9-digit ZIP Code™ (if one is assigned).
CPT KEVIN TAYLOR
UNIT 2050 BOX 4190
APO AP 96278-2050
SGT ROBERT SMITH
PSC 802 BOX 74
APO AE 09499-0074
SEAMAN JOSEPH SMITH
USCGC HAMILTON
FPO AP 96667-3931
MSG JANE DOE
CMR 1250
APO AA 09045-1000
CMS NTP - Central Mail Services News, Tips, and Pointers
News from the Administrative Officer
Hello again! I hope the colder weather finds everyone gearing up for the holidays. Of course, as most of
you probably know, the holidays are one of the busiest times of the year for us at Central Mail. I definitely
appreciate your business and am thankful for the relationships I am starting to build throughout the campus
community. I can see the passion and feel the sense of responsibility and community throughout the area and
this definitely makes me feel like an important part of Kansas State University moving forward. In honor of our
upcoming sesquicentennial and thanks to our new metering machines, we have been approved by the
President’s Office to put the KSU 150 logo on all outgoing mail. Some of you may have noticed the logo on
pieces that are being returned.
As far as updates from Central Mail, we have plenty of them. Since the last newsletter, we hired two
new people, Tammy Powers, as a Senior Administrative Assistant, and Anne Murphy, as an Administrative
Specialist, in August. Tammy you may have seen running the routes and delivering the mail, and Anne has been
hired as my assistant, so you may have talked to her when I was not here or out and about learning the campus
and meeting the community. They are both quickly becoming subject matter experts in K-State and Central
Mail Services and being a great help to the team. So, with those two hired, CMS has filled all of its positions
and is working to gel as a team so that we can better serve you. We have brand new metering machines, brand
new software for tracking and shipping incoming and outgoing shipments, and our expansion is complete. Of
course, with brand new equipment, comes training, anxiety, and growing pains, so please be patient while we
learn the quirks of our new systems. We will continue to strive for the best possible customer service and if you
have any problems with my carriers or student employees, please let me know. If you haven’t been by since our
new facilities were completed in August, I encourage you to come by, introduce yourself, and see our expanded
operations here in Central Mail. We are still located north of Dykstra Hall, nestled between Dykstra, Umberger,
and Dole Halls. The entrance to our facility has changed. Customers who are arriving should come through the
Umberger parking lot (Lot B13), proceed up the hill to the first white metal building and enter through the east
door. We’re always open to welcoming people, showing them what we do, and giving the campus community a
sense of the hard work and dedication our employees display on a daily basis.
There are changes in the United States Postal Service (USPS) prices coming up on January 27th, 2013.
Included in this newsletter is a summary of the retail rates. Much of the First Class Parcel, Priority Mail, and
Express Mail that we place postage on for departments are metered at a commercial base pricing, so the rates
we have in Central Mail may be less than the rates listed.
Some of you may remember in years past the Mail Prep 101 classes that we offered. We will be starting
these classes sometime within the next quarter, so if you are interested in learning more about the services we
offer and tips in how to properly package, mail, and cut postage costs, please let me know. Although I do not
have any classes scheduled yet, I will start a list of interested parties and will contact you when I have
details…you could be one of the first to get this new training! This training will be helpful for anyone, but
especially those who deal with processing or handling mail on a daily basis.
Please remember our deployed military troops during this holiday season. As someone who retired from
the Army last year, the military will always be near and dear to my heart. Out of my 22 years in the Army, I
spent a cumulative amount of nearly five years separated from my family on deployments, schools, and other
temporary duties, including many Thanksgivings, Christmas’, and other holidays. I understand the angst and
anguish the military feel during this time of year. Your thoughts and prayers do not go unnoticed and are not in
vain!
Tips and Pointers
A & K List - Updating the Administrators and Key Personnel (A & K) list should be done on a monthly
or as needed basis. CMS receives campus mail for distribution from University Printing with A &K address
labels that are outdated. With the recent turnover and influx of personnel in CMS, accurate information can
ensure timely distribution of your mail. The A & K list can be updated with one simple phone call to Karen
Hunter in University Printing at 2-1520.
Business Reply envelopes – Departments that send out Business Reply envelopes should start using
Intelligent Mail barcodes (IMb) as soon as possible. In January 2013, Postnet barcodes will still be processed,
but will be charged more per envelope. We have been monitoring this from CMS when we receive the Business
Reply envelopes and most departments seem to be within compliance. If you have any questions about
compliance or the difference between the barcodes, please visit
https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=intellmailpresentations . If you know you still have old Postnet barcodes
and would like to update your envelopes, please contact Mandy Wilson in KSRE in Umberger Hall at 2-1146.
Tips to avoid unwanted “junk mail:”


Never enter contests or fill out surveys with your name and address
Tell all companies that you conduct business with not to sell your name. Many businesses buy address
lists off of businesses that offer similar merchandise.
Jay M. Henning
Administrative Officer
Central Mail Services
Kansas State University
Phone: 2-7751
e-mail: jayh@ksu.edu
Stamps for the Holidays
The Holy Family (Forever®) stamp is being issued in a double-sided booklet of 20. Forever
stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.
Artist Paul Rogers worked with art director Howard Paine to create this
block of four holiday stamps. These computer-generated images were originally drawn in pencil on paper. The
Santa and Sleigh (Forever®) stamps are being issued in double-sided booklets of 20 self-adhesive stamps.
USPS Rate Increase — January 27, 2013
Last increase was January 22, 2012. Below are the rate increases.
First Class:
Ounces
1
2
3
3.5
Rates January 22, 2012
Letter
Flat
$
0.45 $
0.90
$
0.65 $
1.10
$
0.85 $
1.30
$
1.05 -
$
$
$
-
Parcel
1.95
1.95
1.95
Ounces
1
2
3
3.5
Rates January 27, 2013
Letter
Flat
$
0.46 $
0.92
$
0.66 $
1.12
$
0.86 $
1.32
$
1.06 -
$
$
$
-
Parcel
2.07
2.07
2.07
Change
Change
Change
Letter
Flat
Parcel
$
$
$
$
0.01 $
0.01 $
0.01 $
0.01
0.02 $
0.02 $
0.02 $
0.12
0.12
0.12
Additional Ounce Rate
$
Single-Piece Add Ounce Rate after 3 oz (Parcels)
$
Nonmachinable Surcharge
$
Post Card
$
0.20
0.17
0.20
0.32
Additional Ounce Rate
Single-Piece Add Ounce Rate after 3 oz (Parcels)
Nonmachinable Surcharge
Post Card
$
$
$
$
0.20
0.17
0.20
0.33
$
$
$
$
0.01
Certified Mail Fee
Return Receipt fee
$
$
2.95
2.35
Certified Mail Fee
Return Receipt fee
$
$
3.10
2.55
$
$
0.15
0.20
Flat-Rate Envelope
$
5.15
Flat-Rate Envelope
$
5.60
Legal Flat-Rate Envelope
$
5.30
Legal Flat-Rate Envelope
$
5.75
Flat Rate Padded Env
$
5.30
Flat Rate Padded Env
$
5.95
Flat-Rate Boxes - Small
$
5.35
Flat-Rate Boxes - Small
$
5.80
Flat-Rate Boxes - Medium/Regular
$
11.35
Flat-Rate Boxes - Medium/Regular
$
12.35
Flat-Rate Boxes - Large
$
15.45
Flat-Rate Boxes - Large
$
16.85
APO/FPO Lg Flat Rate Box
$
13.45
APO/FPO Lg Flat Rate Box
$
14.85
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
0.45
0.45
0.65
0.45
1.00
1.40
1.40
Priority Flat Rate:
First Class International Rate:
$
$
1.10 $
1.10 $
1.10 $
Post Card All other Countries
$
1.05
Post Card All other Countries
$
1.10
1st ounce - letter - Canada
$
0.85
1st ounce - letter - Canada
$
1.10
1st ounce - letter - Mexico
$
0.85
1st ounce - letter - Mexico
$
1st ounce - Letter - Group 3-5
$
1.05
1st ounce - Letter - Group 3-5
$
1st ounce - Letter - Group 6-9
$
1.05
1st ounce - Letter - Group 6-9
$
0.05
0.25
0.25
0.05
0.05
Priority International Flat Rate:
Flat-Rate Envelope - Canada/Mexico*
$
12.95
Flat-Rate Envelope - Canada*
$
19.95
Flat-Rate Envelope - All other Countries*
$
16.95
Flat-Rate Envelope - All other Countries*
$
23.95
Flat Rate Padded Env - Canada/Mexico*
$
12.95
Flat Rate Padded Env - Canada/Mexico*
$
12.95
Flat Rate Padded Env - All other Countries*
$
16.95
Flat Rate Padded Env - All other Countries*
$
16.95
Flat-Rate Boxes - Small - Canada/Mexico*
$
12.95
Flat-Rate Boxes - Small - Canada*
$
19.95
Flat-Rate Boxes - Small - All other Countries* $
16.95
Flat-Rate Boxes - Small - All other Countries*
$
23.95
Flat-Rate Boxes - Medium/Regular - Canada/Mexico^
$ 32.95
Flat-Rate Boxes - Medium/Regular - Canada^
$
40.95
Flat-Rate Boxes - Medium/Regular - All other Countries^
$ 47.95
Flat-Rate Boxes - Medium/Regular - All other Countries^59.95
$
Flat-Rate Boxes - Large - Canada/Mexico^
$
39.95
Flat-Rate Boxes - Large - Canada^
$
53.95
Flat-Rate Boxes - Large - All other Countries^ $
60.95
Flat-Rate Boxes - Large - All other Countries^
$
77.95
$ 7.00
$ 7.00
$ $ $ 7.00
$ 7.00
$ 8.00
$ 12.00
$ 14.00
$ 17.00