While many of us take mail delivery for granted, it plays a crucial role in keeping UMD running smoothly. Even in the digital age, physical mail remains essential to students, faculty, and staff. Facilities Management’s (FM) Mail Services team ensures the seamless delivery of more than 206,000 letters and packages each month, with that number surpassing 300,000 during peak periods like the start of the fall semester and the holiday season. Every piece of mail is delivered within 24 hours of arrival—an impressive feat considering the scale of operations.
A Team of Experts, Ready for Anything
From initial sorting to final delivery, the Mail Services team is cross-trained so each person can step in and help others as needed. Their work occasionally requires a bit of detective work as well— tracking down recipients when an address is missing or illegible. In one instance, the team tracked down the owner of a coffee maker with just a delivery date as a clue.
A Growing Operation
Mail Services recently merged with Central Distribution which previously handled deliveries like office supplies and FedEx packages. Now operating as a unified team, Mail Services has streamlined routes so that each carrier delivers all types of mail along their assigned route. While most deliveries consist of standard letters and packages, some deliveries stand out—including oversized musical instruments, delicate scientific equipment, and even live animals.
Delivering More Than Just Letters
Each day, the U.S. Postal Service makes three deliveries to the Severn Building sorting center, where the Mail Services team ensures all deliveries reach the correct campus building within 24 hours.
In addition to delivering incoming mail, the team also collects outgoing mail from campus organizations, departments, and schools which is then processed and sent out with the postal service’s final pickup of the day.
Training the Next Generation
Training new team members can take up to two weeks, giving them the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the campus's complex routes and obscure drop-off points. With three longtime staff members having retired at the end of 2024—bringing more than a century of combined experience— the team is prioritizing hands-on training for new hires to uphold the same level of service.
Through every delivery, challenge, and unexpected package, Mail Services is a key part of campus operations. Their dedication keeps the mail moving—on time and to the right place.