University assigns new physical addresses to all campus buildings

Editor's note: Aug. 4 -- Implementation of the address changes was suspended in a memo sent to the university community on Aug. 3.

Effective Aug. 1, Virginia Tech will use new physical addresses for all campus buildings with the intent to enhance 911 response capabilities, improve delivery information for external vendors, and facilitate GPS navigation for the campus community and visitors. 

All departments are asked to complete this conversion by June 2012.

All buildings have been assigned a street number and street name. The new addressing system complies with standard U.S. Postal Service practice.

Mail is addressed currently using a building name and mail code number. That one line will be replaced with two: The addressee’s department name and mail code, followed by the street address and room number. Accordingly, an example of a new campus address will be:

A complete list of new street addresses can be found on the street address site. 

Templates maintained by University Relations for printed items such as envelopes, stationary, and business cards will be updated to reflect the new address standard. Effective immediately, any orders to Printing Services should use the new format.

The Department of Human Resources will begin the process of updating the address formats in Banner and People Search. Should individuals or departments need to take additional steps, human resources will provide specific instructions to departments in the coming weeks. 

The departmental ZIP code, 24061, will remain the same and separates the departmental mail from the residential mail. It is important that incoming mail to departments or employees has the 24061 ZIP code to avoid sorting delays. 

The current four-digit Virginia Tech mail code (MC), used for interdepartmental mail, will remain unchanged.

The change aims to help visitors to campus and any companies or organizations conducting business at Virginia Tech find campus navigation easier. Many delivery companies such as UPS and FedEx require physical addresses, and visitors who rely on GPS and online mapping will now be able to better use those tools. Data updates for online mapping is performed by those GPS vendors and could take up to one year for inclusion.

The Virginia Tech Police Department, Virginia Tech's Network Infrastructure and Services, and the Town of Blacksburg were involved in the planning and implementation of the new addresses. The use of street addresses will set the stage for enhanced interoperability in the new regional 911 center planned for the New River Valley.