Neither sleet, nor snow, nor rain will stop the U.S. Postal Service from delivering the mail, but a new policy on campus may have many students filing for a change of address.
The decision to move all mailboxes to the University Center is debatable. Forcing students to go to the UC every day might improve a much-needed sense of community and allow for more efficient delivery of the mail. And maybe these merits outweigh the costs of keeping the boxes where they are, but charging students is another matter.
Danny Armitage, associate dean of residence life, skillfully suggested last week that the price for a mailbox is already included in the charge for a room for the semester.
If it's already included why do they need to start charging for it?
And if they do charge, what will the $15 already in the room charge be used for? Are they likely to reduce room fees by $15 -- surely not. And is rent likely not to go up because of a $15 savings -- it's doubtful.
Mail services is definitely in need of some changes but not those proposed by residence life. If residence life is intent on improving service they should expand delivery to include Saturdays. They should also forward students' mail to home or another provided address during the summer.
College is supposed to be a home away from home. Receiving mail is a service The University should provide for free. It may be legal to charge for boxes but it is certainly not ethical.
How many parents charge their children for a mailbox? How many landlords charge a renter for a mailbox?
Charging students for mailboxes just comes across as another way for The University to make money. Few would argue The U of M is not in need of funds but increasing fees for parking, recreation center usage or mailboxes only builds animosity.
