I am writing this letter on behalf of all those Penn State students who are as frustrated as I am with the Penn State Computer Center regarding the long wait for their computers to arrive. I was told that it would be between four to six weeks for my Classic computer and Imagewrite printer to arrive. I had no idea that two months later, and no set delivery date, I would still be waiting.

I realize that I am not the only one anxiously awaiting their $1,642 computer and printer. In fact, there are 94 people ahead of me. It is outrageous that so many students are waiting, especially after they have already paid for their merchandise. In my particular case, it only took the university one day to cash my check. I do not know the specifics regarding the other students still waiting, but given my financial situation, I am no longer earning interest which I needed.

I was told by the computer center that I had two choices; either I could ask for my money back, which would take three weeks for processing, or I could upgrade my order, which would entail spending at least another $600 for a computer already in stock. The latter is not a possibility for this graduate student, and, quite frankly, it defeats the whole purpose of having purchased a computer through the university in the first place.

The problem seems blatantly clear; the University is more than willing to sell you a computer that it does not have in stock. Moreover, you will have no idea when your order will finally be made available to you.

My message is this: if you are contemplating buying a computer through the University, be prepared for a long wait, and a great inconvenience.