The Definition of a Mailbox

According to dictionary.com:

mailbox
noun
1. a private box for delivery of mail
2. public box for deposit of mail [syn: postbox]

The English department at USC apparently does not agree. To them, dropping something off in a “mailbox” is the same as “coming by and handing something in in person during regular business hours.”

Essentially, I’ve tried (and failed) twice to hand in a short story I wrote to a competition they’re hosting. This frustrates me, so I’m doing the absolutely most productive thing I can think of and venting on the intrawebs.