LC plans for summer renovations
Callom Harkrader
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Administration
A highlight, perhaps even overshadowing the gigantic changes to Shellenberger Field, is the news of new washing and drying machines to be installed over the summer. Fischer said the Coin-Mach washers and driers will be replaced with machines from Caldwell-Gregory that are front loaders. Associate Vice President of Business and Finance John Lewis said the plans for the new machines have been in the works for about six months. A student focus group was formed to learn what items were important to students.
The new machines are better for the environment, as well as more economic. Fischer said top load washers use about 37 gallons of water, compared to 13 gallons for front loaders.
"We aim to save over a million gallons of water per year. They also spin faster to require less energy in drying," Fischer said.
The prospect of new washers and dryers is pleasant news to many students who feel the current machines are not effective enough.
"It's about time. I think it's great that we're getting new washers and dryers, not only for the benefit of the students, but the environment as well. And my clothes will finally be dry when they come out of the dryer," sophomore Elena Kritter said.
However, some concerns were raised over the change in companies.
"I feel that this is a great idea. My main concern is that of the money. Would we still be using our cards, our actual money or option of both? I'm hoping that the new company makes this more useful to those in the halls, seeming as it is always a pain to run all over campus finding a working VTM machine," sophomore Denver Moore, Jr. said. "This could either be a great idea or end up being a horrible disaster."
Lewis acknowledged the difficulties that students face with laundry and plans on a simpler system.
"The price per wash and per dry will continue at the same $1.00 price as it has been for many years. The vendors had $1.00 price as it has been for many years. The vendors had requested that the price go to $1.25 but we were able to delay the increase for 2 more years. Students will continue to pay for laundry on a "pay as you use it" basis with a laundry card very similar to what they have now. The only difference will be that we are planning to combine the laundry "smart chip" with the student ID card so that students only have 1 card," Lewis said in the e-mail.
The new machines are better for the environment, as well as more economic. Fischer said top load washers use about 37 gallons of water, compared to 13 gallons for front loaders.
"We aim to save over a million gallons of water per year. They also spin faster to require less energy in drying," Fischer said.
The prospect of new washers and dryers is pleasant news to many students who feel the current machines are not effective enough.
"It's about time. I think it's great that we're getting new washers and dryers, not only for the benefit of the students, but the environment as well. And my clothes will finally be dry when they come out of the dryer," sophomore Elena Kritter said.
However, some concerns were raised over the change in companies.
"I feel that this is a great idea. My main concern is that of the money. Would we still be using our cards, our actual money or option of both? I'm hoping that the new company makes this more useful to those in the halls, seeming as it is always a pain to run all over campus finding a working VTM machine," sophomore Denver Moore, Jr. said. "This could either be a great idea or end up being a horrible disaster."
Lewis acknowledged the difficulties that students face with laundry and plans on a simpler system.
"The price per wash and per dry will continue at the same $1.00 price as it has been for many years. The vendors had $1.00 price as it has been for many years. The vendors had requested that the price go to $1.25 but we were able to delay the increase for 2 more years. Students will continue to pay for laundry on a "pay as you use it" basis with a laundry card very similar to what they have now. The only difference will be that we are planning to combine the laundry "smart chip" with the student ID card so that students only have 1 card," Lewis said in the e-mail.