With installation set for Oct. 8, the Ashland University mail center is set to have its obsolete mailboxes taken away and replaced with 105 lockers. They will reach from floor to ceiling and take the place of the current unused mailboxes flush against the walls. 

With each locker varying in size, different packages can be stored. Mary Bond, the center’s manager, said this is for each student’s convenience.

The new lockers will work similarly to the Amazon lockers that were installed last school year. “When you receive a package, we’ll scan it in with the corresponding box,” said Bond, “and you will get an email, as you always would, but this time it will have a code on it. These lockers have a kiosk where you can punch in the code.” 

The purpose of the installation is so students can receive packages when the mailroom is not open, meaning after hours and on weekends. This will also reduce the need for student help in the center. 

“This is really going to rely on the students not waiting to get their packages,” said Bond. “I’m putting a time of three days. . . They need to come and get their package in three days or it’ll be pulled out.” 

After the lockers are installed and the staff is trained, the new system should be up and running by the end of October. 

Bond said this will be an exciting work in progress and a matter of seeing what works.