Original facility expands user base a headline
By JOE TROMBELLO
News Writer
Last month, the St. Michael's on-campus laundry distribution center was expanded to allow faculty and staff, as well as students, to drop off and pick up laundry and dry cleaning.
"The opening of the distribution center [to faculty and staff] furthers St. Michael's commitment to serve the cleaning needs of the entire University community," said Robin Kramer, St. Michael's Laundry assistant director.
St. Michael's Laundry announced the distribution center's grand opening Jan. 6. Since then, Kramer said that the faculty and staff response has been positive, with over 30 new faculty and staff customers. In addition, faculty and staff have switched from the main plant to the on-campus distribution center to pick up and drop off laundry.
"Since the January grand opening, the community has positively responded with nearly 12 percent of our main plant customers now utilizing the on-campus location — citing convenience as the main reason for the business transfer," Kramer said.
Brian Coughlin, director of Student Activities, said that the opening of the on-campus distribution center to faculty and staff directly affects him.
"I used to use a commercial laundry off-campus for my dry cleaning, but since January I have switched over to St. Michael's," he said. "This is due almost entirely to the convenience. I park in A15 and find it very easy to pick up my laundry feet from where I park."
As a Holy Cross Priest, Nicholas Ayo, a Program of Liberal Studies professor, lives on campus and said that he used the main plant directly behind the Notre Dame Federal Credit Union. Nonetheless, he said that the opening of the on-campus distribution center would be more convenient for him.
"I have become used to walking or taking a car over [to the main plant], but I know it would be easier to use their services now that they are closer. I have yet to have occasion to do so at their new campus location," Ayo said.
Despite the added convenience, some faculty and staff said that they will continue to use their own methods of laundry service.
"I don't use [St. Michaels] because I do my own laundry at home — it is more convenient for me," said Michelle Gelfman, associate professional specialist and physical education instructor.
The on-campus distribution center is located at the corner of Sorin Court and Holy Cross Drive, behind the Main Building, and will be open to all members of the Notre Dame community from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The center will provide access to alterations, dry cleaning, over-the-counter drop off and pick up, linen rental and VIP service. The main plant will continue to serve all Notre Dame students, faculty and staff.
All News Stories for Tuesday, February 18, 2003
