How many Brown students does it take to open a mailbox? This joke has been popping up around campus after incorrect combination numbers, broken mailboxes and undelivered packages plagued the opening of the new mailroom in the remodeled J. Walter Wilson student center.
After 10 minutes of spinning the lock on his mailbox left and right with the help of a friend Wednesday, Gal Peleg '10 knew something was wrong.
"We're two guys - computer science and engineering majors - and we can't do it," he said, though he ultimately managed to enter the right combination.
Others never opened their boxes. Faustino Mora '10 spent an hour and a half on Tuesday trying different combination numbers given to him by mail clerks, who eventually told him they would request a locksmith to fix it.
"I'm a little annoyed," he said. "They're not going to do anything for a while, although they're helpful."
University officials said they became aware of the problems and were taking steps to solve them.
Elizabeth Gentry, assistant vice president of financial and administrative services, which oversees Mail Services, said the problems should only be temporary.
"I ask for patience as we work into a new space. It will probably take a couple more weeks," she said.
Gentry and Margaret Klawunn, vice president for campus life and student services, said they had not heard any "negative feedback" until reading The Herald Wednesday morning. Still, Gentry said all issues have been reported to Facilities Management and the building's project manager.
The problems go beyond bad combinations for some. For example, the four packages that Isabelle Hull-Fossas '11 ordered last week have not been delivered.
"They usually get here after three or four days," she said.
Other students stood in line to report a variety of other issues: Quinn Sivage '08.5 with a lock that does not spin 360 degrees; Sadiea Williams '11, a mailbox assigned to another student; and Hristo Atanasov '10, a broken lock.
Asad Nasim Jan '10 warned against unnecessary fumbling. "The good thing is the windows," he said. "Now you don't have to open it if there is nothing in it."
Other students were dealing with the loss of their old mailbox numbers - students with box numbers below 2039 received new numbers.
"I and some morons just look at the wrong number," Bill Jackson '08.5 said.
Amid the confusion, students have been suggesting tricks to each other. "My friend told me to have the combination sit at the last number," Nicole Carty '10 said.
For Michael Levy '11, the best solution is to line up and ask a staffer to open his mailbox from the other side.
Behind the Mail Services window, staff are busily slaloming around ladders and construction workers to provide assistance.
Standing in front of packages and speaking above the sound of drilling, Mail Clerk Diane Collins declared that "everything is in chaos."
Occupants moved into the building on Aug. 5 with hopes of opening on Aug. 15, but construction is still incomplete, Klawunn said. The mailroom is awaiting furniture, the computers are not all connected and the staff is still familiarizing itself with the new location, mail clerks said.
Mail Clerk Arney Hepburn said with a grin that he "likes a challenge" and that there is "more room" in the new location.
In another change, the United States Postal Service decided to close its post office on campus. The nearest U.S. Post Office is on Thayer Street next to New Pembroke. Gentry said the postal service made the decision independently. "I'm sure it's a funding issue," she said.
Meanwhile, the aging mailboxes in the lower level of Faunce House, will be offered to Alumni Relations, Klawunn said.
Many former students consider them a "sentimental thing," Gentry said.
