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Latest News

Latest report from MTAC is now available in the Members Only Secion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2005 202-268-2155
News Release No. 05-030

ESCROW RATE CASE FILED
Washington, D. C. – The U.S. Postal Service filed a rate case with the Postal Rate Commission (PRC) Friday (4/8) seeking an expedited recommended decision to raise rates and fees 5.4 percent for almost all categories. The filing is unique in that the decision to seek a rate increase is due solely to the requirement of Public Law 108–18 that the Postal Service establish a $3.1 billion escrow fund. The law does not stipulate how the funds are to be used. The Postal Service rate case calls for an almost uniform 5.4 percent rate and fee increase spread over all classes and subclasses of mail and special services. The postage for a one-ounce piece of First-Class Mail would go from 37 to 39 cents in early 2006. Should legislation be enacted that eliminates the escrow funding requirement, this rate case will be withdrawn. The last postal rate increase was three cents on June 30, 2002.

Information on the filing can be found at www.usps.com/ratecase.

Important message from the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers

Ladies and Gentlemen…in haste…a couple of quick notes:

1. the new USPS eligibility rules affecting the use of “personal mail” are going to be a royal pain in the mailpiece for nonprofits – and, I suspect, a VERY large problem for colleges and universities. So far, nobody has been screamin’ because nobody has seen the final versions of these new Customer Support Rulings that are being drafted. EARLY WARNING: June 1 is going to come much sooner than anyone suspects. The new rules are going to be a problem for C&U mailers. The earlier you warn your folks…the better off they will be to avoid paying FIRST CLASS postage! Check out our last few newsletters to get the scoop.

2. I just got off the phone with an attorney representing a C&U who is wrestling with the USPS over who should handle delivery for a campus building with 139 different address points in the building. Is there a NACUMS contact person who could help out in educating these folks on their rights and responsibilities?

Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training today…ahhh…Go Washington Nationals!

Neal Denton, Executive Director
Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers
1211 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 620
Washington, DC 20035-2701
phone: 202/462-5132 cell: 202/302-1474
www.nonprofitmailers.org

Postal Pundits Ponder Postage Pricing
Excuse the alliteration but you better stay tuned to the ever-changing saga of the pending postage changes scheduled for early 2006. There's far too many hands in the pot this time and the impact could be something that has not been seen in years. More information and updates can be found in the Members Only section.

2004-2005 Membership Certificates Have Been Mailed
NACUMS' 2004-2005 Membership certificates were mailed in early November to those who have renewed their memberships. Along with the certificate you will also receive the new Members Only login and password. If you have paid your 2005-2005 dues and have not received your certificate by November 15, contact membership.

October MTAC Announces some MAJOR Changes!!
NACUMS' representatives attending the recent MTAC meeting came away with some new information concerning changes in the RCSCs and Standard Mail Content. They also heard some disturbing news concerning student mail delivery. Go to the Members Only Section where you'll find links to a summary of industry-related information as well as links to the full MTAC minutes.

2004 Elections -- Both U.S. and NACUMS -- Are Over!
NACUMS members have spoken. Those elected to board and officer positions will be posted soon. Until then, you can learn more about the years nominees by clicking on the following link. Learn More

NACUMS 2004 Annual Conference another great success!
The NACUMS 04 conference held in Madison, WI, like last year was a great success. With 95 attendees and 27 exhibitors we had our largest exhibitor show ever. By following the link below you will find some images of some of the sessions and events held at the conference. View Photo Album! Enjoy!

A special congratulations to this years award winners.

Dave Pitts
Lou Eichler Award of Excellence

John Golding
Industry Leadership Award

Pat Kambhu
Excellence in Management

Dora Thomley
Outstanding Team Member

Standard Mail vs. First Class
The USPS has proposed clarifying the personalization rules governing what can and what cannot be mail at Standard Mail rates. Does it or doesn't it? Read and decide for yourself. Click here to read the April 19, 2004 Federal Register Notice.

Stable Postage Until 2009???
According to an article from the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers’ newsletter, there's a chance postal rates could remain stable for another five years. Go to the Members Only Section for more info.

Maybe Not!
President Bush's budget for FY2005 does not include the annual reimbursement of $29 million for revenue forgone. Is the Clay Compromise turing into Mud? More info is found in the Members Only Section

DMM Changes in Window Envelopes Could Impact Your Mailings
The DMM revised section C010.6.1 to clarify that ALL characters in the delivery address must be completely visible throughout the full range of movement of the insert bearing the delivery address. More info is found in the DMM and in the Members Only Section.

Presidential Commission News. President Bush's commission that is reviewing the Postal Service is continuing its efforts to identify potential improvements.
See Members Area. @

MTAC Highlights November 2003
Bob O’Brien presented a special recognition to Ken Cowell, who served as Postal Vice Chair for two terms (1996-1997 and 2002-2003). He will retire after 30 years with the Postal Service. Learn More

C&U Mail Manager's Earn USPS Mail Center Manager Awards!!
Lianne Fenn (University at Albany) and Kenneth Hoyle (Houston Community College) were recognized at the National Postal Forum in New Orleans by the USPS and presented Mail Center Manager Awards. This award is given to several industry members who have demonstrated superior excellence in the management and operation of their respective institutions. Congrats to Lee and Ken.
Read about their individual accomplishments. Learn More

The Mail Center Reality Document
Here's a little memorabilia for those who love our industry. It's entitled The Mail Center Reality.
Learn More

Move Update Still Problematic
The May 31, 2002 Federal Register comment period is over. The USPS is now reviewing the 30+ comments received. Still, there are concerns that have yet to see satisfactory answers. The recent Postal Forum in Boston did little to remove those concerns. Some with in the industry have estimated that the potential impact to mailers, especially college and universities, could reach thousands of dollars annually in additional postage processing costs. Get informed by keeping abreast of the latest found in the Members Only Section.

Remember the Alamo! NACUMS 2002 Sees Success
NACUMS held its annual conference in San Antonio, Texas Sunday, June 23 to Wednesday, June 26. Nearly 90 people enjoyed classes, discussions and some mighty fine southwestern cuisine. Photos and more will be posted soon.

Linda Augustine Awarded Lou Eichler Award
Linda Augustine, Manager of Mail Services at Arizona State University, was awarded the 3rd Annual Lou Eichler Award at the NACUMS 2002 conference. As a former vice-president, president and board member, Linda was recognized for her contributions to the college and university mail services industry, her leadership example and her time serving the industry on the Mailers' Technical Advisory Committee.

What do YOU Know About Transformation?!?
If transformation congers up thoughts of kid's robotic toys that change from cars, or dinosaurs into robots, you're looking in the wrong place. PMG Jack Potter is pushing to make vast changes to the way we do business with the USPS. Check out additional information in the Members Only Section.

Unsubcribing from CUNIMAIL
Several subscribers still have difficulty unsubscribing from CUNIMAIL. To make the process a little less confusing, we've created this link. Click here to UNSUBSCRIBE or RESUBSCRIBE and type in "unsubscribe cuni-mail" or "subscribe cuni-mail" in the body of the message.

Regional CUMSA Announces New Web Page
The College and University Mail Services Association, serving colleges and universities in the southeast, has recently announced their new web site. View their site

VENDORS!! Support Information Now Available
The NACUMS Board has finally gathered information for Vendors. If you're a vendor and are interested in supporting NACUMS Learn More

NACUMS Assumes Responsibility for the CUNIMAIL Email List
Before there was NACUMS, there was CUNIMAIL, an email discussion list started by Lou Eichler at the University of Iowa in 1994. CUNIMAIL quickly blossomed into a vital community of college and university mail professionals. It brought together people who previously had only seen each other at conferences, or who had never had any contact with their peers in other institutions. CUNIMAIL helped get hundreds of institutions through Classification Reform in 1996 and 1997 and gave birth to NACUMS in 1995. Lou recently announced his retirement and NACUMS offered to assume responsibility for CUNIMAIL. The changeover was made on November 16. CUNIMAIL has always been, and will continue to be, a list that is open only to employees of colleges and universities. And although NACUMS is now responsible for the list, it will continue to be open to members and non-members alike. Subscribe--it's free!
MTAC Report, NACUMS Notes, Nonprofit Checklist and Addressing Standards Information Now Available
In an ongoing effort to keep NACUMS members informed, the Members Only Section has new information concerning the most recent MTAC meeting in Washington, DC, the Fall Issue of NACUMS Notes, a valuable Nonprofit Checklist and a summary report on the MTAC College and University Addressing Work Group. To read about this information and more, go to the Members Only Section. Not a member? See below for enrollment information.
New Toll-Free Phone Number to Contact NACUMS!
NACUMS now has a toll-free phone number: 1-877-NACUMS1. Calls during regular business hours will be answered directly and voicemail will take messages after hours.