Community Orientation

Local Postal Facilities (Post Offices)

The U.S. Postal Service accepts letters for mailing in the blue steel mailboxes you may find in front of the Student Services Center (Building S) or at locations throughout the United States. To deposit letters for mailing, both international and domestic letters can be placed in the blue mailbox, but make sure you have the correct postage stamps on the letter. Postage stamps can be purchased through vending machines located in post offices, drug stores, grocery stores, office buildings, and currency exchanges. However, it is usually best to buy stamps in quantity at the post office, for the best value, the easiest service, and to be sure your international mail has the correct stamps for the weight and location.

The local postal offices are good places to buy stamps, mailing boxes and other items you might use to mail a package. They are open Monday through Saturday, with shorter hours on Saturday. The main post office in downtown Chicago is open 24 hours a day.