Mail Services:
Student Email Notification for Packages

Barnard's Package Tracking Software has now been configured to provide email notification of package arrivals. Please read the information below so you understand the full meaning of the email notification you will receive.

1.     The starting point for our email notification system is the time the item has been "Input" into Barnard's package tracking database.

2.     Once each hour, our package tracking software will scan the database for new items that have been Input in the past hour and send an email notification to the recipient. Do not reply to this email!

3.     In most cases, the email notification does not mean that the item is ready to be picked up or delivered. Further processing by the Mail or Central Receiving staff is usually needed. (Processing may include Input of many other packages; transferring from other receiving locations to Student Mail Services; shelving items by box number; and insertion of notification slips into student mailboxes. All this takes time!)

4.     Student packages will normally not be ready for pickup until at least two hours after the “Item Received” time displayed in the email notification. During the first 4–6 weeks of the term, the delay will be even longer in most cases, although express (overnight delivery) items will always be processed first and ready for pickup within one (1) hour of the Input time.

5.     Students will still receive package notification slips in their mailboxes. Receipt of the package notification slip is the only true indicator that the item is ready for pickup.

6.     Students are still required to bring the package notification slip and Barnard ID to the pickup window. The email notification cannot be used for package pickup; it is simply provided as a convenient alert to students that an item has arrived.

7.     Students will sometimes pick up a package before receiving email notification. Please compare the tracking number on the package with that listed in the email; asking for items that have already been retrieved will create fruitless work for the Student Mail staff and create delays in the pickup line.

8.     The email notification will include the following information:

        a.    Subject: Item Notification

        b.    From: Package Notification (package_notice@barnard.edu)

        c.    Item Received (Input) time

        d.    Location (Mailbox #)

        e.    Name

        f.     Tracking Number

        g.    Item Type (e.g., Box, Small)

        h.    Carrier (e.g., FedEx)

        i.     Custom Message (a very brief message)

        j.     Other information, where appropriate (e.g., if package was received in damaged condition)

        k.    There will also be a hypertext link to this web site.

9.     Contact information for Student Mail Services

               Main phone: 4-2095

               Mail Services Manager, Olive Conteh: 4-7823

               Director of Office Services, Alan Anderson: 4-8775