UA asks postmaster to fix mail

Reacting to hundreds of new complaints about mail service at the University this year, the Undergraduate Assembly has decided to take action into its own hands. UA member and College freshman Joshua Gottheimer said last night that many students have contacted the UA to complain about mail problems. "We've received an innumerable amount of complaints since the beginning of the year," he said. "People weren't getting their mail, checks were missing, things were coming opened or damaged, [it was] taking an average of a month to receive letters." Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said Monday her office has received more than 200 complaints of lost or late mail since September. In response to the seemingly continuous problem, Gottheimer -- with the approval of the UA -- wrote a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Marvin Runyon detailing the University's problems. The letter was also copied and sent to Senators Harris Wofford (D-Pa.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), Congressman Lucien Blackwell (D-Phila.), Interim President Claire Fagin, Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson and Simeone. "After speaking with the Director of Residential Living, we understand that many forms of investigation have been performed at both the 30th Street Office and the University," the letter read. "However, much to our dismay, the postal problems have continued. "The Undergraduate Assembly has approached your offices with a confidence that you would be willing to protect the reputation of the United States Postal Service and correct this dilemma that has apparently failed to be resolved at a local level," the letter continued. Gottheimer said he hopes his letter will evoke more success than University investigations have in the past. "I don't know whose fault it is and to be honest with you, I don't care," he said. "Hopefully [the letter] will start a more thorough investigation from the top down instead of on a local level." College sophomore Lance Rogers, UA director of communications and member of the Committee on Campus Facilities, said last night the UA is working hard to find a solution to the mail problems. "I know that we're taking the situation very seriously," he said. "We're going to work with the post office at 30th Street as well as Residential Living to remedy the situation. "If it's an inside problem, we're on the outside and we can fix it," he added. Rogers described the problem as "top-priority," and said that the UA would try to fix the problem "as soon as possible." Gottheimer, who sent the letter January 17, said he has yet to receive a response. He did not send the letter through Quad mail, he added.