December 2013 Issue 62
Exciting News!
We are really excited about our relationship with our presort service for our first class letters. In October alone,
Central Mail Services saved the campus community more than $2,400.00 in first class postage! If you have not
heard of this presort service that we have been using, we are metering one ounce, first class letters at a 40.5 cent
rate per letter, saving you more than 6 cents per letter. Two ounce letters are metered at the same 40.5 cents,
saving almost 30 cents per letter! Three ounce letters are metered at a 66.5 cent rate, saving more than 22 cents
per letter. What is the catch? Well, here it is. First, this presort service is available only for first class letters, not
large envelopes or postcards. I was also glad to find out that we are not the only organization using this presort
service, as even Central Mail Services in Topeka has disposed of their barcoding machines in favor of using the
same presort service…that is how much money using this presort service saves!!!
Meet the Carriers
Keeping up with the theme I started, I want to introduce you to a couple of our carriers. The good news
is that we have not had any turnover of our permanent or temporary employees, which is good because our
experience is growing! If you can remember back to our first installment of Meet the Carriers, we introduced
you to our longest serving and shortest serving carriers and continued on that theme last quarter. So, here is the
third installment of Meet the Carriers:
Edwin Asebedo
Anne Murphy
Edwin has been with Central Mail Services since February 2009. Before
that, he worked at K-State as a custodian from 2007 until he came to
Central Mail. Before coming to K-State, Edwin was a UPS route driver for
25 years. Edwin enjoys all aspects of job at Central Mail, including driving
routes, metering mail, and shipping packages through our ship station.
Edwin wants to encourage everyone to use Central Mail Services for their
shipping needs.
Anne has been with Central Mail Services since August 2012. She is our
lead worker in Central Mail Service and hands out work assignments and
verifies vendor invoices. She previously worked as a human resource
manager in Pennsylvania. She also worked in the State Library in Topeka.
Anne has three children, two step-children, and five grandchildren. She is
two classes shy of earning her bachelor’s degree in health care
administration.
CMS NTP - Central Mail Services News, Tips, and Pointers
News from the Administrative Officer
Personal Mail – We have recently started enforcing the policy outlined in PPM 7825 concerning processing
university related mail only (see it here at http://www.k-state.edu/policies/ppm/7800/7825.html ). We had a
grace period after taking over delivery of the federal mail from the post office last summer where we would
deliver packages. What we at CMS will do if we receive a package that appears personal in nature is e-mail the
recipient of the package. There will be a memo attached to the e-mail that states specific instructions. We
understand that some departments make purchases from companies that would appear personal if received. If in
fact the package is university related business, purchased with university funds, then you will simply need to
print off the memo, sign it, and either fax it to 2-0187 or scan it and e-mail it to [email protected]
and we will deliver it with our next delivery. State funds are not to be used for personal business. Therefore, if a
package is personal, we cannot deliver it. The recipient will need to stop at Central Mail Services and sign for
their package.
CMS Information Sheets – Recently, we have started scanning and e-mailing the CMS Information Sheets to
cut down on the paper copies we are sending. If you include your e-mail address on the information sheet when
you send it over with your package, we will e-mail your CMS Information Sheet with pricing and tracking
information. If you have an information sheet without the e-mail address as the last line of the “From” address,
you can download the latest Information Sheet from http://www.k-state.edu/facilities/cms/forms.html. You can
also write your e-mail address below your from address or include a third party e-mail address you would like
the information sheet e-mailed to.
Production Numbers – Many of you are aware that we raised our surcharge toward the end of summer. I want
to let you know what your funds go toward. Our carriers have more than 100 years of experience between
numerous shipping and mailing companies. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 (July – September 2013)
Central Mail has processed more than 205,000 pieces of outgoing mail, more than 3,000 outgoing packages, and
more than 1,250 pieces of international mail through our consolidator services. Additionally, we have processed
more than 546,000 pieces of incoming federal mail, over 31,000 packages, and more than 4,300 postage due
and business reply mail pieces. We have processed more than 155,000 pieces of campus mail. Our Contract
Postal Unit has processed more than $35,000.00 worth of outgoing mail and stamp sales.
AiM instead of Oracle – As many of you know, sometime soon, we will be using a different vendor for our
work orders and billing. So, as part of this transition, all of the departments will be getting new account
numbers, to include postage account numbers. Unfortunately, I do not know what these numbers will be yet, but
I am aware of the fact that many of you will have to reorder mailing envelopes soon. I want to let you know that
when Central Mail transitions to the new account numbers, we will have a cross reference we will be using to
know which new account number to charge your postage to. Of course, it would be a tremendous help if you
could rubber band your mail together and cross out the number on the first envelope and write the new account
number on at least one envelope. Another alternative, if you do not want to cross out the number is to attach a
sticky note to the envelopes with the correct account number.
Ready Post supplies – We had to put a hold on the sale of Ready Post supplies at the Contract Postal Unit
temporarily. However, we are hopeful that sales will start again soon. These products were very popular when
we were selling them and we want to offer them in order to provide a service for our great campus community.
We still have these products available, which we will hopefully be able to sell soon: three sizes of bubble
mailers (5.75” x 8.75”, 8.25” x 10.5”, and 12.25” x 17.75”); two sizes of cushion mailers (7” x 10” and 10” x
14”); four sizes of mailing cartons (boxes) (8” x 8” x 8”, 12” x 10” x 8”, 20” x 14” x 10”, and 20” x 20” x 20”);
a square mailing tube (2” x 24”, suitable for mailing posters); and clear and brown mailing tape with dispenser.
Our Contract Postal Unit’s hours of operation are still 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
DHL Express – As of December 3, 2013, we are now able to ship international documents through DHL. This
is an exciting opportunity for us because DHL is bigger in Europe and Asia than even FedEx and UPS. For
now, this service is being tried on a trial basis and is limited to documents being shipped internationally. I am
hopeful that we can use DHL for more in the future and I am hopeful that this is another opportunity to process
your shipments more expeditiously and inexpensively. I conducted a price comparison the other day on a
shipment to China and saved more than $20 shipping through DHL than the next least expensive option.
Social Media – Did you know that Central Mail is now on Facebook and Twitter? Please like / follow us. We
will do our best to send you out important changes, like new stamps that we offer and new services, but not bog
you down with too much information. Please help us get the word out!
o - KSU Central Mail Services and Contract Postal Unit
o - @KSUCentral_Mail
Thank you for your continued support of Central Mail. Please see below for some important information
on procedures.
Jay M. Henning
Administrative Officer
Central Mail Services
Kansas State University
Phone: 2-7751
e-mail: [email protected]
Tips and Pointers – For easy perusal of what applies to you, I bolded the subject of each paragraph.
Address correction / verification – If you have a mail piece for someone who left your department, please
forward the whole mail piece with a note attached letting us know that the individual no longer works at your
department. This is a slight change from what we told you previously, but if you forward the whole mail piece
(even if it is a catalog), we can process it easier. Also, there is a Website that our address correction clerk uses
that she wanted me to let you know about: http://www.melissadata.com/lookups/. This is a free Website where
you can verify addresses or find house numbers, street names, and ZIP codes. If you are unsure of an address,
please use Melissa Data for this information. This has the potential to minimize return pieces, which will
ultimately save you money.
When you fill out information sheets and submit them with your packages, please include a phone number of
the recipient. If UPS or FedEx has a phone number, they are able to call the recipient if there is a mistake in
the address. This could potentially save you the $11 - $12.00 fee that UPS and FedEx charge if they have to
make an address correction. On this same note, please ensure that the address is as correct as possible when
addressing the box. We will use the address provided, but a few extra minutes ensuring that the address is
correct could save you $11 or $12 in address correction charges that FedEx and UPS charge, respectively.
Mailing supplies for departments – Central Mail Services now has supplies available for charge back to the
departments. So, on those days when you can’t seem to scrounge up a box or envelope the right size, or you
don’t feel like expending the energy needed to look for one, you can bring your shipment to us and we can pack
it for you (within the limits of the parameters of our boxes) and will charge it back to your department. These
are the products we have available and the prices shown include our surcharge:
o Shipping box, 14” x 10” x 7” for $1.618
o Shipping box, 8” x 8” x 8” for $2.017
o Padded mailing envelope, 6” x 10” for $1.732
o Padded mailing envelope, 12.5” x 18.25” for $1.026
o Clasp gummed envelopes, 10” x 13” for $0.285
o Clear mailing tape roll with dispenser for $2.770
Below are important deadlines for shipping your holiday presents and cards out on time.
HOLIDAY 2013 — Dates, Deadlines and Facts
BUSIEST MAILING / DELIVERY DAYS
BUSIEST MAILING DAY – CARDS, LETTERS, PACKAGES MONDAY DECEMBER 16
BUSIEST DELIVERY DAY – CARDS AND LETTERS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 18
BUSIEST DELIVERY DAY – PACKAGES THURSDAY DECEMBER 19
DOMESTIC MAILING DEADLINES
DOMESTIC MAIL CLASS / PRODUCT
DEADLINE DATE
FIRST CLASS MAIL
DECEMBER 20
PRIORITY MAIL
DECEMBER 21
PRIORITY MAIL EXPRESS*
DECEMBER 23
STANDARD POST
DECEMBER 14
DNDC DROP SHIP
DECEMBER 19
DDU DROP SHIP
DECEMBER 21
INTERNATIONAL MAILING DEADLINES
INTERNATIONAL MAIL
ADDRESSED TO
PRIORITY MAIL
EXPRESS
INTERNATIONAL
(PMEI)
PRIORITY MAIL
INTERNATIONAL
(PMI)
FIRST-CLASS
MAIL
AFRICA
DEC-10
DEC-2
DEC-2
ASIA/PACIFIC RIM
DEC-14
DEC-9
DEC-9
AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND
DEC-14
DEC-9
DEC-9
CANADA
DEC-16
DEC-12
DEC-9
CARIBBEAN
DEC-14
DEC-12
DEC-9
CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
DEC-10
DEC-2
DEC-2
MEXICO
DEC-14
DEC-11
DEC-9
EUROPE
DEC-14
DEC-12
DEC-9
MIDDLE EAST
DEC-14
DEC-12
DEC-9
New Stamps
The Holy Family (Forever®) stamp celebrates Christmas with a scene from the Nativity story that reminds us of the joys
of the season: family, togetherness, and the birth of the baby Jesus. It continues the U.S. Postal Service's tradition of
issuing beautiful and timeless Christmas stamps and will be a treasured addition to cards and letters sent during this
season of goodwill and sharing. Reenactments and commemorations of this episode are enduring traditions. Medieval
mystery plays — dramas based on biblical stories that were performed in towns across Europe from the 14th to 16th
centuries — featured the Flight into Egypt as part of their Nativity cycle. Christmas pageants today reenact the Holy
Family's flight, with portrayals ranging from simple children's plays to elaborate live nativity scenes. Other celebrations
include the Feast of the Holy Family, observed by the Roman Catholic Church during the Christmas season, and the
Coptic Orthodox Church's Feast of the Escape of the Holy Family to Egypt, commemorated each year in June.
Legends about the Flight into Egypt have inspired artists from Raphael to Rembrandt to imagine and illustrate the Holy
Family's journey. Their flight has been rendered in other forms as well: stained glass windows, frescoes, sculptures, wall
hangings, and woodcarvings, among others.
The escape of the Holy Family is also commemorated in music, with compositions such as the 19th-century work The
Childhood of Jesus by Hector Berlioz, or the traditional Irish carol “The Flight into Egypt.” Composer John Harbison won
the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for his work for chorus and orchestra, Flight into Egypt, Sacred Ricercar.
Working together, art director William J. Gicker, designer Greg Breeding, and artist Nancy Stahl created an evocative
new image of the Holy Family. The stamp illustration shows Joseph leading a donkey that carries Mary and Jesus, guided
by a star shining in the twilight of a desert sky.
The Holy Family (Forever®) stamp is can be bought as a single stamp or up to and including a sheet of 20. Forever
stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.
Raphael, a gifted painter and master of the Italian High Renaissance, painted this stamp art piece in
1513 while living in Rome. The artist known to posterity as Raphael had it all — he was talented, handsome, and even-
tempered. At a very young age, he became a great master of the Italian High Renaissance. A detail from his painting,
Madonna of the Candelabra, showing the Madonna and Child, is the traditional Christmas stamp for 2011.
He was born Raffaello Sanzio in the city of Urbino in 1483, where his father taught him to paint. He was being called a
master artist while still in his teens. Drawn by the reputations of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, he went to
Florence as a young man to soak up that city's learning.
In 1508, Raphael was summoned by Pope Julius II to Rome, where he spent the last dozen years of his short life in an
inspired burst of activity. The masterpieces he produced there include the painting reproduced on this stamp, Madonna
of the Candelabra by Raphael (Forever®), dating to around 1513.
Raphael ran a large and active workshop. Assistants certainly painted the angels (not shown in the stamp art) flanking
the central figures in Madonna of the Candelabra, and possibly other parts. This tondo (circular painting), oil on panel, is
now in the collection of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.
Madonna of the Candelabra by Raphael is being issued in books of 20 self-adhesive Forever stamps. Forever stamps are
always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.
The U.S. Postal Service® continues its tradition of issuing classic holiday stamps with this bright and
cheerful rendering of America's favorite holiday flower, the poinsettia.
The stamp art depicts the rich red and vibrant green leaves surrounding the flower—the cluster of small, rather modest
cup-shaped structures in the center. The red “petals” that we think of as the flower are actually modified leaves called
bracts. A potted poinsettia was used as art reference.
While considered by the ancient Aztecs to be a symbol of purity, the poinsettia today symbolizes good cheer. The gift of
a poinsettia is said to bring with it wishes of laughter and celebration.
Found on everything from wrapping paper to holiday jewelry, the poinsettia says “Christmas” more than any other
flower. The stamp art's vibrant red—America's favorite poinsettia color—adds a decorative and celebratory note to
cards and letters during the holidays.
William Low painted the stamp art. Ethel Kessler was the art director.
Poinsettia is being issued as a Forever® stamp. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail®
one-ounce rate.
These cheerful Santa and Sleigh (Forever®) stamps portray Santa Claus flying through the
air in his sleigh. With a cargo of toys and gifts produced in his workshop by elves, he lands on the rooftop of house after
house and slides down the chimney to leave presents for girls and boys of all ages.
Santa's annual journey is joyfully captured in this block of four holiday stamps, with two rows of two stamps each
presenting a “classic” image of Santa and his reindeer circling around snow-covered rooftops.
Though his roots go much further back, the modern Santa Claus, the giver of gifts, captured the American imagination in
the Revolutionary War era. At that time, understandably critical of English traditions, people looked to the Dutch figure
of Sinterklaas for cultural cues and seasonal inspiration. Since then, Santa has become more popular, and is today
beloved by millions of children who write him letters, track his progress on the Internet, and leave him milk and cookies
as tokens of their esteem.
To their cards and letters and yours, these stamps will add a dash of holiday merriment. Double-check your mailing list
so you don't forget anyone nice!
And to help make sure Santa visits children who might not otherwise have any gifts to open at Christmas, join
“Operation Santa.” Here's how it works: Register at any participating U.S. Post Office and read letters to Santa from
participating boys and girls. Select a letter and provide gifts for the writer! Operation Santa observes its 100th
anniversary in 2012. Although USPS began receiving letters addressed to Santa more than 100 years ago, it was in 1912
that Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock authorized local postmasters to allow postal employees and citizens to
respond to the letters. This program became known as Operation Santa. Today, hundreds of thousands of elves across
the country are helping Santa make his rounds!
Artist Paul Rogers worked with art director Howard Paine to create this block of four holiday stamps. These computer-
generated images were originally drawn in pencil on paper.
The Santa and Sleigh (Forever®) stamps are being issued in double-sided booklets of 20 self-adhesive stamps. Forever
stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.
Four new, cheerful holiday stamps capture the delicious tradition and childlike nostalgia of making
gingerbread houses. Stumbling across a magical cottage made of cake and candy, Hansel and Gretel knew just how
special gingerbread houses could be—but no witches will jump out of these confectionery domiciles. Instead, the
Gingerbread Houses stamps will add a touch of whimsy to your holiday mail.
These stamps feature four different gingerbread houses set against a bright blue background. Made with gingerbread
and royal icing, each house has sugary fruit slices for shingles, peppermint sticks for support beams, and round, candy-
coated chocolate for doorknobs and holly berries, and yet each is unique.
Sally Andersen-Bruce photographed the houses, created by baker Teresa Layman. Art director Derry Noyes designed the
stamps.
The Gingerbread Houses stamps are being issued as Forever® stamps. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the
current First-Class Mail® one-ounce rate.
Created by Maulana Karenga in 1966 to encourage a reconnection with African heritage, this colorful stamp depicts a
family celebrating Kwanzaa together.
Using a colorful new Kwanzaa (Forever®) stamp design, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates this holiday that takes place
over seven days beginning each year on December 26 and ending January 1. Kwanzaa is intended as a celebration of
seven principles — unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose,
creativity, and faith — that are based on values prevalent in African culture.
Kwanzaa draws on African traditions and takes its name from the phrase for first fruits in Swahili, a widely spoken
African language. Its origins are in harvest celebrations that occurred in various places across the African continent in
ancient and modern times. These traditions were synthesized and reinvented in 1966 by Maulana Karenga as the
contemporary cultural festival known as Kwanzaa.
The stamp art, a highly symbolic design, depicts a family celebrating Kwanzaa. The prominent colors in the artwork
represent the colors of the Kwanzaa flag — green for growth, red for blood, and black for the African people.
Art director Derry Noyes worked with artist Daniel Minter to create the stamp design. The new Kwanzaa stamp is being
issued in panes of 20 self-adhesive Forever stamps. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class
Mail one-ounce rate.
Searching for holiday greetings stamps? With four festive designs to choose from, our baubles
stamps are sure to make your holiday mail stand out from the rest! The festive Holiday Baubles (Forever®) stamps
feature four colorful ornaments sure to add to the joys of the holiday season. Baubles may also inspire fond memories of
beloved tree ornaments from childhood-objects that still have the power to enchant us today.
While styles from the 1950s inspired the ornaments depicted in the stamp art, sincere wishes for happy holidays never
go out of fashion. These stamps offer a fashionably retro way to enhance the season's greetings.
Evergreen trees and branches have been used as winter holiday decorations for hundreds of years. Trees were trimmed
with fruit — apples were a popular choice — and nuts, candies, or paper. Glass ornaments first appeared in the late 19th
century, in Germany, and their use quickly spread to other countries.
William J. Gicker art directed these stamps using illustrations by Linda Fountain. Drawing on styles popular during the
1950s, she first sketched the ornaments then rendered them using cut paper. These renderings were scanned and
turned into digital files. The actual objects are slightly larger than a sheet of typing paper.
These stamps are being issued in books of 20 self-adhesive Forever stamps, with five of each different design. Forever
stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.
Featuring calligraphy from the 2011 Eid stamp with a new green background, this 2013 Eid Forever®
stamp issuance commemorates the two most important festivals—or eids—in the Islamic calendar: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-
Adha. On these days, Muslims wish each other Eid mubarak, the phrase shown in Islamic calligraphy on the stamp. Eid
mubarak translates literally as “blessed festival” and can be paraphrased “May your religious holiday be blessed.” This
phrase can be applied to both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
In 2013, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on August 8, and Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on October 15. (These dates, which
are based on geographical location and predicted sightings of the moon, are preliminary and may vary slightly as each
festival approaches.)
The U.S. Postal Service issued its first Eid stamp, with gold calligraphy against a blue background, on September 1, 2001.
A new Eid stamp with gold calligraphy against a reddish background debuted on August 12, 2011. All Eid stamps to date
have featured the work of world-renowned calligrapher Mohamed Zakariya. The art director for this stamp was Phil
Jordan.
Like other stamps in the Holiday Celebrations series, the Eid stamp is being issued as a Forever® stamp. Forever stamps
are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce rate.
Five centuries ago, Jan Gossaert helped bring the genius of the Italian Renaissance to northern Europe.
Today, his devotional paintings, rich in symbolism, still vividly evoke the traditions of Christmas.
The new Virgin & Child by Jan Gossaert Forever® Christmas stamp features Gossaert's 1531 painting Virgin and Child.
Draped in purple and blue, the Virgin Mary supports her own head by leaning on one of her hands, an unusual pose that
art historians see as a sign of sadness and contemplation. In her other hand, a curly-haired infant Jesus draped in white
holds a bunch of red currants, which scholars believe are meant to foreshadow his future suffering.
Gossaert's painting is currently in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Richard Sheaff was the art director and
designer for this stamp.
This stamp is being issued as a Forever® stamp. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail®
one-ounce rate.
Happy Hanukkah! With eight colorful shapes and the silhouette of a dreidel, this stamp captures
the joyous spirit of the Hanukkah festival. The Hanukkah (Forever®) stamp art features letters spelling out the word
"Hanukkah", backed by eight colorful shapes that symbolize the eight days and nights of the Hanukkah celebration. The
second "k" appears on the silhouette of a dreidel, a spinning top that children traditionally play with during Hanukkah.
The celebration of Hanukkah dates back over two millennia. Tradition relates how a miracle took place during the
rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated. The remaining supply of sacramental oil, thought
to be enough for only one day, burned for eight days. Today, family members gather each night during the festival to
light candles on a special candleholder called a menorah. Art director Ethel Kessler worked with illustrator Suzanne
Kleinwaks on the new design.
The new "Hanukkah" stamps are being issued in panes of 20 self-adhesive Forever stamps. Forever stamps are always
equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.
