By Sarah Elizabeth Tooker

Contributing Writer

The post office in the Ferguson Center will close in May, after the end of this academic year, and will be replaced by a University-run mail and packaging center.

A U.S. Postal Service spokeswoman, Debbie Fetterly, confirmed that the University told them in February 2011 they would not be renewing their lease contract.

Many University students have tweeted and voiced their concerns about long lines and a shortage of employees since school began on Aug. 22.

Fetterly was not aware if there was any direct correlation between the non-renewal of the lease and a shortage of employees; however, she did confirm numbers had been cut.

“There are two stations available. At one time, we had three employees, including two retail associates and one distribution clerk,” Fetterly said.

Students have reported lines resulting in more than hour-long waits. Shannon Carroll, a freshman majoring in communication disorders, claimed she’s waited twice now to pick up a package from her mailbox.

“The first attempt I waited for over an hour to be told at 2:30 p.m. the one employee on staff was done for the day because she was working overtime,” Carroll said. “The post office closes at 4 p.m. normally.”

Sarah Polich, a freshman majoring in elementary education, was also concerned with the slow-moving workers and time-consuming process of renting a P.O. Box.

“I waited in line for 45 minutes, and one woman wasn’t assisting anyone,” Polich said. “It took the employee about 10 minutes to find my keys because they weren’t in order, and it seemed slightly unorganized. I think it makes a lot of sense to close and replace the post office because it was not exactly efficient.”

Plans have not been finalized for the new University mailing system, but in the meantime, Fetterly encourages students to utilize usps.com, a more convenient online platform for mailing transactions.

Some of the services available include a postage printing system for packages called Click-N-Ship and the ability to reserve a P.O. Box online.

“Students should also use the 26th Street location of the post office, which is only 2.5 miles away from campus and generally less crowded,” Fetterly said.

UA spokeswoman Cathy Andreen said the new mailing system will operate similarly to the current post office, and students will still have the opportunity to rent a P.O. Box to send and receive mail.