It's the middle of winter. It's cold and it's rainy. The last thing some students say they want to do is walk to the University Center to check their mail.
In an effort to cut expenditures and consolidate all mailboxes to one central location, The University of Memphis decided last semester to move all student mailboxes to the 1st floor of The UC -- directly across from the University Store.
Students must pay a fee of $15 per semester to own a mailbox. Students also have the option to pay $36 for the entire year.
Many U of M students are unhappy with the University's decision, feeling it is an inconvenience for resident students to have to walk to the UC just to check their mail.
Gina Guay, a senior exercise sports science major, said she is unhappy with the move.
"I'm disappointed in the school for moving it," Guay said. "I don't like it. I don't like knowing I have to pay for it, even though it is only $15. I'm probably not going to get my mail here."
Brandi Leatherwood, a freshman commercial music major, said the $15 fee for her mail box came as a surprise, as The University deducted the money without any prior explanation.
"I don't like this decision," Leatherwood said. "They took $15 out of my pocket without me knowing."
Another common argument against the move is that convenient mailboxes are already installed in the residence halls.
Sophomore psychology major Delishia Norris said she does not understand why the mailboxes have been moved when there is no apparent problem with the mailboxes in her dorm.
"I'm tired of walking all the way over there," Norris said. "The mailboxes are in the lobby (of my dorm). There is no sense in moving
them when they are right here."
University of Memphis officials argue that the consolidation of the mailboxes reduces the risk of losing students' mail, because it will not have to be dispersed to the different dorms.
Despite the complaints from campus residents, Danny Armitage, associate dean of Residence Life, said that the new mail service is working well.
"Many students have already picked up their keys," Armitage said. "The mail is being delivered and students are getting their mail."
