I write to inform you that the Pitney Bowes self-service mail kiosk located in the Bay Tree Bookstore, which has provided personal mail and shipping services for the past five years, will be removed at the end of this month.
Pitney Bowes informed us a year ago it was exiting the postal kiosk business and would continue to service the equipment until parts for it were no longer available, reserving the right to terminate our agreement on a month’s notice. Unfortunately, we received this notice earlier this month.
Over the past year, Procurement and Supply Chain Services has attempted, without success, to identify a suitable, cost-effective replacement. But, much like what happened to the film photography processing business, the postal kiosk business is in decline with only a few costly, mixed-quality options available. Considering the situation and the limited use of the kiosk, the student fee funding subsidizing the service would seem to be better used supporting other, higher priority student-related services.
The USPS mailbox located near Bay Tree Plaza remains in place. Other postage and shipping options include the following:
ONLINE POSTAGE AND SHIPPING
Mail Services is preparing a webpage, currently under development, that will provide information on how students can ship parcels from campus using on-line USPS Mail and Shipping Services tools. This information is expected to be available by the end of the month.
NEARBY SHIPPING LOCATIONS
- UPS Store, 859 Almar Ave, Suite C (near Safeway)
- US Post Office, 850 Front Street
- FedEx Print and Ship Center, 712 Front Street
Shipping and mailing of campus business letters and parcels will remain unaffected. Mail Services staff will continue to pick up and deliver these items. Please contact Procurement and Supply Chain Services Director Darin Matthews (darin@ucsc.edu) should you have questions.
