Students living on campus could possibly see an improved change to the laundry system with new ideas from UPUA and ARHS, but this program could incur an increase in cost.
The University Park Undergraduate Association and Association of Residence Hall Students are working together to create a more efficient laundry system. They’re currently trying to include a text alert that would let students know when their laundry is finished.
UPUA Vice President Katelyn Mullen (junior-supply chain and information systems) said there would also be an online database that students could access that would detail which washers and dryers are available.
The system would use a program called Laundry Alert to keep students informed about the laundry rooms in their hall. In order for the system to work, representatives from ARHS and UPUA said there’s a likelihood that laundry costs would increase by 15 cents.
Current costs to use washers and dryers on campus are $1.50 for washers and 50 cents for dryers. The extra 15 cents will be a total fee between the washer and dryer, not 15 cents individually added onto both machines.
ARHS President Caleb Fernandez said now, the focus is on finding out if students are on board with paying an additional 15 cents.
“At this point, we’re more aimed at getting feedback from the on-campus students. Within the next couple weeks, we’re going to take polls [across campus] from all the on-campus students on whether they’d object or go forth,” Fernandez (sophomore-advertising-public relations) said.
If students are generally in favor of the idea, steps will be taken to start the plan. If it were to go into effect, the preferred Laundry Alert system would be used at every Penn State campus, not just University Park.
The program has to be implemented across all campuses if it goes into effect, UPUA Deputy Director of Housing Ali Fogarty (junior-journalism and political science) said.
As for students who wouldn’t use the new laundry system, negotiations are being made as to whether or not they would have to pay the additional 15 cents as well, Fernandez said.
As ARHS gets more student feedback, they’d like to test how the system would work in halls like McElwain and Simmons where all of the washers and dryers are on the same floor. This will help give them an idea of how well the system works, Fernandez said.
If the polls show a positive response and the plan goes into effect, students could see these changes to the laundry system around summer or fall of 2013, Fernandez said.
To email reporter: jzs5661@psu.edu
