2008 Woodie Awards
Change vs. Charge
University proposes new policy for laundry facilities
By: Kristen Zenz
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Campus
Students may be able to use on-campus laundry facilities next year without worrying about having enough quarters to wash and dry their clothes.
The Office of Residence Life is proposing an upfront laundry fee of $50 a semester for all students living on campus. The fee would replace the use of quarters to operate washers and dryers and allow students living on campus to access the machines at their convenience.
"Students will feel more at home," said Michael Griffel, Director of Residence Life. "It's paid for upfront so they don't have to worry."
For students like Thomas Naples, freshman, the upfront fee will alleviate going to the front desk of the Union every time he needs quarters.
"It'd just be more convenient," Naples said.
Currently, students pay $1.25 to wash a load of clothes and around $.75 to dry.
With the proposed program, students would have to do two loads of laundry a week in the University's 16-week-semester to break even.
According to Ryan Gardner, the $50 fee is based on the rates other schools with the same program are charging.
Washington State University and Stanford University are among the schools that have a "just like home" laundry program. Their fees range between $40 and $60, he said.
Residence Life considered card readers for BG1 cards and pin pads so students could enter their identification numbers before deciding on an upfront fee.
The fee was decided on because pin pads and card readers require the purchase of expensive equipment and maintenance, Griffel said. Also, by eliminating the vending process the University avoids the collecting, auditing and security of coins, he said.
"It's the least expensive and most efficient way," Griffel said.
Griffel hopes the upfront fee will encourage more students to take advantage of the laundry facilities available on campus.
Right now, 30 percent of students living on campus take their laundry home because they live so close, Gardner said.
The Office of Residence Life is proposing an upfront laundry fee of $50 a semester for all students living on campus. The fee would replace the use of quarters to operate washers and dryers and allow students living on campus to access the machines at their convenience.
"Students will feel more at home," said Michael Griffel, Director of Residence Life. "It's paid for upfront so they don't have to worry."
For students like Thomas Naples, freshman, the upfront fee will alleviate going to the front desk of the Union every time he needs quarters.
"It'd just be more convenient," Naples said.
Currently, students pay $1.25 to wash a load of clothes and around $.75 to dry.
With the proposed program, students would have to do two loads of laundry a week in the University's 16-week-semester to break even.
According to Ryan Gardner, the $50 fee is based on the rates other schools with the same program are charging.
Washington State University and Stanford University are among the schools that have a "just like home" laundry program. Their fees range between $40 and $60, he said.
Residence Life considered card readers for BG1 cards and pin pads so students could enter their identification numbers before deciding on an upfront fee.
The fee was decided on because pin pads and card readers require the purchase of expensive equipment and maintenance, Griffel said. Also, by eliminating the vending process the University avoids the collecting, auditing and security of coins, he said.
"It's the least expensive and most efficient way," Griffel said.
Griffel hopes the upfront fee will encourage more students to take advantage of the laundry facilities available on campus.
Right now, 30 percent of students living on campus take their laundry home because they live so close, Gardner said.
Be the first to comment on this story