August 3, 2007

Purdue University Residences offers door-to-door service

Textbooks will be delivered to residence halls during move-in weekend. In an agreement with Follett's Bookstores, Purdue students have until Aug. 5 to order textbooks online or in person during their summer Day on Campus visit.

"This is a generation that is used to making purchases online and having exactly what they want delivered to their front door," said Barbara Frazee, executive director of University Residences. "We're pleased that students selected us as their new home and that we are able to arrange this service for them."

During a previous pilot program at Meredith Hall, more than 25 percent of students arranged to have their books delivered to their residence hall. The program has been successful enough that Follett's is replicating it at several universities in Texas. 

Students who ordered lofts from University Residences by Aug. 1 will have their new beds waiting for them in their rooms when they arrive. Those who ordered futon sofa beds online from Bedloft.com by Aug. 1 also will have that furniture waiting in their rooms.

In a pilot program with Bed Bath & Beyond, students can visit their local store and use a hand-held scanner to identify all of the merchandise they want to outfit their college room. Orders can be made online as well. The company will have all of the students' selections packaged and waiting for pickup at the store location closest to Purdue's campus.

"Student designers on Boiler Television's reality TV show 'UR Home' have been successful in creating very fashionable spaces from the purchases they have made at the local store," said Kevin Maurer, director of residential life. "Plus, I'm sure parents will better enjoy the ride to Purdue with their vehicle far less encumbered by pillows, towels, comforters, laundry baskets, etc."

When parents unload students and their belongings at the steps of the residence hall, they could be greeted by Purdue's new president, France A. Córdova. Córdova will be at freshman check-in from 9-10:30 a.m. on Saturday to meet parents and students.

With nearly 12,000 residents, Purdue University Residences is the largest on-campus housing system in the nation where participation is voluntary for every student.

Writer: Jim Schenke, (765) 494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu

Sources:   Barbara Frazee, (765) 494-1000, bjfrazee@purdue.edu

Kevin Maurer, (765) 494-1000, krm@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Photo and video opportunities with Purdue President France A. Córdova can be arranged by contacting Jim Schenke, Purdue News Service, (765) 494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu

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