Most students stopping by the University Book Center yesterday afternoon browsed through biographies, perused the psych section and flipped through self-help guides before they reached the front of a line that almost stretched upstairs.
The UBC was flooded with students in need of textbooks for the new semester, and the unusual Monday start of classes had many book buyers and UBC employees feeling the crunch.
“It’s busy,” said Mike Gore, a UBC manager who had been directing students to the registers nearly nonstop since 8:30 a.m. “It’s just all really compact at this time because of the late start, but we’re doing alright.”
The textbook hub on the campus had 10 active registers and four registers exclusively for handling online orders. But quick checkouts didn’t prevent a pileup that, at some points, took 25 minutes to clear.
What is it like to be the last person in such an intimidating line?
“I’m a little frustrated,” said junior geology major Marcie Occhi, who briefly occupied the accursed spot. “The store across the street didn’t have my book, so I came here.”
“The line is crazy- it snakes around,” said freshman Allan Hutchins, who waited 15 minutes to buy just a minuscule remote for his chemistry class. “I was OK, because I just listened to my iPod.”
Fifteen minutes was too long for some to wait. After a quick glance at the line, Tricia DeScenza decided she’d come back later. “I don’t want to be here for just one book, and it’s hot as hell,” said the sophomore education major. “I’ll just come back later.”
Sometimes, checkout wasn’t even the last obstacle. Several students set off an alarm as they exited the store, alerting an auxiliary police officer to double check their bags and receipts. Senior psychology major Jason Lewis got through the queue with a nine-item stack only to be buzzed at the door.
“Stuff happens,” Lewis said with relative Zen. “Life’s too short to worry about lines. Everybody’s gotta get books. I could’ve come earlier, but I came at a rush instead, so I had to wait.”
His words reflected a bit of wisdom that UBC employee and junior communication major Ariana Statham had for customers in the future: “Never wait until the last minute.”
UBC textbook worker and junior Lara Martin wasn’t completely put out by the hectic work. “It’s a madhouse, but it is really rewarding. You help so many people, maybe 200 a day.”
Though initially frightening, most students said they made it through the line in 15 to 20 minutes. Among the “survivors” was Occhi.
“It wasn’t that bad. I’m relieved.”
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