Quad package trailer to close

High Rise South will High Rise South will remain sole packageHigh Rise South will remain sole packageroom for all residents The package room and trailer that currently serve Quadrangle residents will be closing at the end of this academic year. Package services will be consolidated in High Rise South next year, according to Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone. Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta explained that this decision was the result of a combination of funding and efficiency enhancements. "The current package room in the Quad is regularly overrun with daily deliveries," he said. "And given the explosive growth of catalog sales, etc., we needed to find a more secure and efficient way to handle the burgeoning package business." The consolidation is expected to save approximately $20,000 annually, since the University will no longer need to rent the trailer and can hire fewer staff members. "We understand that this is somewhat of an inconvenience," Simeone said. But she explained that the financial expenses far outweigh the added time and effort for students. Simeone noted that all Superblock residents currently "walk a block or so to pick up their packages." And she added that the Department of Residential Living is trying to set up an interim system which will enable incoming freshmen to receive their packages during September in the Quadrangle. "September is the time when incoming students get a lot of packages," Simeone said. But in stark contrast to administrators' excitement, the decision pleased few students. College freshman Ryan Mann said the decision shows administrative shortsightedness, because the switch will reduce the services and convenience available to students. And College freshman Cary Dicken agreed. "It is a big inconvenience," she said. "What's the point? The Quad holds so many students that it will be a pain to walk all the way to HRS to pick up a package." And some HRS residents, who already complain of congestion problems in the package room, are not looking forward to the change. "The package room in High Rise South is already crowded enough and is not capable of adding 2,000 people -- not to mention the crowds," said College junior Dan Gutin. But Moneta explained that, if necessary, the University will renovate the HRS package room to accommodate the increased traffic. He added that in the future, the University hopes to offer "one-stop" shopping for a number of services. "Currently, all assignments services are in Superblock and dining and I.D. services are just up the block on 40th," said Moneta.