Student Move-In

Residential first-year students will receive their Mail Services move-in packet at their permanent address ahead of move-in. This packet includes a detailed set of instructions on move-in, package mailing tips and procedures, as well as the student's unique four digit mail code number. 

The identification labels are solely for sorting and storing items once they arrive at Tulane. They are not pre-paid shipping labels. The labels are carrier independent and do not affect shipping, delivery or shipping rates. Items received at Tulane with the enclosed bar code labels can be sorted and stored more effectively.

You can ship your student's belongings according the the shipping map times in the packet we send to students ahead of move-in. 

No, the mailing address provided in the initial packet will be the student's on campus address all year. The student's mail code will remain the same from the beginning until the end of the academic year, including move-in, and will remain as  long as the student is living in campus housing. 

Yes, the student will receive email notifications when items are delivered to their rooms. In this email will be a photo of the items delivered. You may receive multiple emails as items are delivered, do not be alarmed if all your items are not in the photo. This just means all your items have not made it to your room yet. Everything will be placed before your move in day.

No. Every room on campus already has a Safe Plug Microfridge.

Yes, you may have vendors ship directly to your student, provided that the address includes the student's name and four-digit mail code. For move-in items, please refer to the address sent in your packet. 

Tulane Mail Services signs on behalf of all on campus students for all packages from all couriers which require signature delivery.

The Tulane Bookstore, located in the Lavin-Bernick Center on campus has a selection of items to outfit residence hall rooms.

You may also order items from an online vendor and have it sent to the students permanent campus address. Mail Services will receive and notify the student when and where the item is available for pickup.

If ordering from Amazon, we encourage you to order items to be shipped to one of our Amazon locker units located on campus. Items are available faster from Amazon lockers without direct personal contact.

Tulane Mail Services signs on behalf of all on campus students for all packages from all couriers which require signature delivery.

Ship all your items to arrive during the in-room delivery dates ranges listed in the mail packet. Items must be arrive during this timeframe to be eligible for in-room delivery.

New students living on campus will receive a packet from Mail Services at their permanent address over the summer. This packet will contain a detailed set of instructions for the move-in process, package mailing tips and procedures, as well as the student's unique four-digit mail code.

Perishable items are handled with the same care as all other items once they are received at Tulane Mail Services. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to refrigerate individual items. However, the mail room is a climate controlled environment. Generally, packages are available for pickup within three hours after they arrive on campus, NOT immediately after they are signed for by mail operations staff. This time is necessary for internal processing. It is the student's responsibility to pick up packages in a timely manner, both perishable and otherwise.

We recommend shipping medications through FedEx and/or UPS (overnight is best). These services are the fastest, most reliable, and also provide the easiest claims processing, should an issue arise. We do not recommend the USPS because the service is often subject to delays and tracking is not always accurate. Please do not ship items that are immediately required upon your arrival such as medicine or critical personal items. Due to high incoming package volume during the first few weeks, we recommend you send with your student a 30 day supply of any medication they need. 

No, please do not send cash, cash equivalent, or gift cards. We are not responsible for these items.

While Mail Services receives and processes USPS delivery confirmation and insured packages on a routine basis, it has been our experience that USPS delivery confirmation and insured mail is not a consistently accurate way to track packages.

Larger items such as futons, sofas, recliners, mattresses, bed frames, refrigerators, microwaves, rugs larger than 5'x7', TV/Monitors over 50" are prohibited and will be refused. Bikes are acceptable although be advised the student will have to reassemble shipped bikes themselves. We always recommend buying from a local bike shop. There are several in the area.

Over the last few years, less then 1% of shipments have been damaged or lost and we continue to work to reduce that likelihood. However, if your shipment is damaged, Mail Services staff will be available on site to assist with placing a claim. Please retain all items and packaging materials until your claim is resolved. If an item shipped by another carrier is damaged, please contact Mail Services for assistance. In most cases, shipping claims must originate from the shipping location. If you encounter a missing shipment, please see a Mail Services representative or complete the search form.

Many students get permission to move in early for special programs or as workers for university departments. In these circumstances, Housing and Residence Life provides Mail Services a list of students who are moving to campus early. Mail Services will use this list to flag your sent items and make a reasonable attempt to have them in your room when you arrive. However, we cannot always guarantee pre-delivery of items into your room for an early move in date. For this reason, we strongly recommend you travel to campus with all essential necessities (toiletries, sheets, medication) and clothing for your first few days in your new residence.

All in-room delivery items will be delivered prior to the start of move in week. Items you may have received after the shipping window has closed (July 30) are sorted and delivered to campus by your move-in date. If you change your move-in date after July 31, your items will not be on campus until your original move in date. Due to the high volume of packages, we are unable to reposition items that have a late change of move-in date.