- General
- Receiving
- Small Package Delivery
- Warehousing and Records Storage
- On-Site Delivery and Installations
The Central Warehouse operation is located in the General Services Building on Towsontown Boulevard. Hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Our Towsontown Blvd. location is the primary receiving hub for the university. We also maintain a satellite receiving operation at Smith Hall. Receiving activities include unloading, material handling, shipment inspection and verification, distribution or delivery, and related administrative record keeping and processing functions. In some cases, we also arrange and assist in on-site delivery and installations. On average, we receive 15,000 shipments containing 45,000 pieces annually.
Small package carriers will deliver to one of our two locations, with two exceptions: packages designated for express shipment, which includes overnight and second-day air, are to be delivered directly to the consignee by the carrier, and vendors servicing the university office supply contract are required to deliver directly to the department. The deliveries we receive are a mix of direct purchases and university purchase orders. Purchase order deliveries are checked against the purchase order specifications, whereas direct purchase shipments are logged and staged for campus delivery on the following day. Contents of direct purchases are not opened or inspected by us, with the exception of computers, which must be TU bar-code labeled at the point of receipt for asset tracking purposes.
These procedures address concerns of excessive carrier traffic on campus, and assures correct and timely delivery of the wide variety of packages sent to the campus - minimizing errant deliveries and returns resulting from a carrier's difficulty in locating the addressee. A central receiving hub provides consistent package logging, which facilitates tracking. This is an important feature in an environment of a dynamic and diversified workforce.
Aside from general campus familiarity, we are experienced in small package routing, and the interception and proper notification of potentially damaged shipments. Materiel Management confirms Towson University purchase order receipts for timely accounting and property records processing.
- Addressing packages
- Expecting a package?
- Tracking a shipment, damaged shipments, refused shipments and returns
Warehousing and Records Storage
A portion of our General Services facility is dedicated to the routine storage requirements of other departments.
This service provides on-going bulk storage for current campus publications, new computers, local phone directories, etc. Inquiries concerning space availability, or authorizing distribution of existing materials should be addressed to Martin Cruz at X4-3833.
In addition, a secure storage area is available for departments' boxed files. For more information, click on the following link.
On-Site Delivery and Installations
Materiel Management is often the designated point-of-contact (POC) on University Purchase Orders for vendors and carriers to coordinate delivery either to General Services Receiving or directly to departments. Vendors and carriers are typically instructed to contact us at least three to five days in advance. As the designated POC, our warehouse manager will coordinate the delivery schedule between vendor, carrier and the buying department or individual to ensure the successful completion of the shipment. This reduces the possibility of a refused shipment and the confusion and scrambling that may ensue without proper planning. The delivery arrangements are integral to the contract between the university and vendor and should be followed as specified. The designated point-of-contact is the responsible party for coordinating deliveries.
On occasion, on-site deliveries have to be routed to Central Receiving due to a vendor or carrier's failure to make contact prior to delivery. Some shipments may have to be accepted at Central Receiving and redelivered by our staff because the logistics of moving have not been fully planned by the ordering department or individual; buildings without docks may hamper the delivery of unusually large shipments; an installation may require an independently contracted specialist who fails to show as scheduled; the department fails to have old equipment or furnishings removed prior to delivery; and for any number of other reasons.
If Materiel Management assistance is desired for direct purchases of less than $5,000, including procurement card purchases, a formal request should be made in the early planning phase, at which time we can help determine an appropriate course of action. We will provide support by coordinating the delivery with the carrier, the department or the individual in charge of the project; work with Parking Services, police and other involved parties as necessary to ensure that the delivery site is free and clear of obstruction, and ready for the shipment. On very large projects, such as new or renovated buildings, we may assist in the supervision of the unloading and installation of goods, which includes verifying quantities and inspecting for visible damage.
The department or individual responsible for making the buying decision is the only party authorized to approve as acceptable the goods or property delivered; for determining and directing the proper placement of property; for inspecting, verifying and accepting property received against a purchase order. Our involvement as a third party facilitator limits our ability to make unilateral decisions on behalf of departments.
Materiel Management staff will process receiving reports as required, obtaining the department's signature for approval and acceptance.
Materiel Management or the Property Records office will properly label capital assets for identification and recording purposes. The department should review Property Records policies to ensure compliance with all procedures for property tagging, recording, etc.
