The start of the semester resulted in an influx of package deliveries, frustrating students with long lines at the Lerner Package Center. Miguel Pagan, Executive Director of Print, Mail, and Transportation Services discusses the delays and addresses students' concerns.

"The average daily package receipt comes out to about 440 packages per day. But for January, it turned out to be 613. So there was about a 38% increase in daily package activity that in essence created the lines," Pagan analyzed.

Unlike in past semesters, package service is no longer available on Saturdays.

"We did look at the service on Saturday was probably the least utilized day so Saturday was canceled from the schedule and there was a reduction in hours during the week as well. Obviously the effect of that is that you are pushing what productivity occurs on Saturday into the remaining five days, Monday through Friday," Pagan said.

Students complained that they receive a delivery notice from the package carrier before being notified by Mail Services.

"One of the solutions that we've already put in place, before I was asked for the interview, was taking the abilities of the staff and just improving them. Also we had, in essence, not a shortage of PC's - they got us by before - but by adding two we'll be able to get the intake in quicker in terms of registering the packages and getting the emails to the students. In a normal day, we should be generating the email within 24 hours advising of the pick up time, but obviously we're here today because that is not happening," Pagan commented.

For students wishing to avoid the lines at the center, Pagan offers this advice.

"We we saw is that during the morning times, around nine to eleven, are the least utilized times so if possible, that would be ideal for student to pick up their packages at that point," Pagan suggested.

Though package notifications take longer than before, Pagan wants students to continue using mail services.

"I want the system to work the way it should. And you know, I order online myself so I know the benefits of being at your desk comfortably or at home and ordering something and getting it. So I would hate to be a proponent of taking away that comfort and that service," Pagan said.

Due to budget constraints, Pagan seeks to improve service by adding technology in favor of expanding staff or locations, such as the Carman Package Center. However, Mail Service officials are still evaluating additional changes, so students will have to cope with package center lines a little bit longer.