The U.S. Post Office considered closing the Memorial Union Post Office recently in an effort to reduce costs this year. The Memorial Union office was one of several offices analyzed by the U.S. Post Office Headquarters in Washington, D.C. in a nationwide study conducted to look for possible cuts that could be made to reduce the amount of money the U.S. Postal Service will lose this year. Currently, there are no plans to shut down the office.

“At this time, there is no consideration to close the post office at the Memorial Union. The study was in preparation for where the post office is headed,” said Larry Jordison. Ames Postmaster. “It was looking at ways to cut costs and to improve the bottom line. The postal service is self-supported. It’s a separate government entity.”

Jordison said that in 2009 alone, the U.S. Postal Service is estimated to lose $7 billion.

“This decision is not up to the post office of the city of Ames, it is a United States Post Office decision,” Jordison said.

Stamps could be more difficult for students to obtain if the office closes. The Memorial Union Post Office is the only post office branch on campus that sells stamps. If the office closes, changes to residence hall post offices could be made to include the distribution of stamps.

The Memorial Union Post Office is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.