Miami University's new summer storage service will be competing will local storage facilities for student business this summer.
The program, My Summer Storage, aims to make moving easier for students, according to Brian Woodruff, assistant director of housing and meal plans.
"We've always been looking for ways to make life easier for students," Woodruff said. "These items will be stored in secure, temperature-controlled locations on campus."
Woodruff said students can choose from three sizes of storage boxes or pay a flat rate to store a specific item. Boxes are supplied by Miami and cost between $25 and $35. This cost includes pickup, summer storage and delivery in the fall. Specific items, such as bikes, chairs or sofas, are individually priced.
"It's an extra perk," Woodruff said. "Students will be able to take advantage of our great service."
The idea for Miami summer storage came from the success of community storage facilities like Campus Cardboard and Oxford U-Lock Storage, Woodruff said.
"We've never realized the desire until we saw last summer's participation in Campus Cardboard," Woodruff said.
Woodruff said Miami's summer storage program expects a positive response from the students.
"We're aiming for 150 to 200 participants, with an average order of three boxes, at about $100 per order," Woodruff said.
Lisa Byrd, a rental agent for Oxford U-Lock Storage, said it's hard to say if business will be affected by the new competitor.
"About 40 percent of our profits come from Miami students," Byrd said. "I've been here at least 30 years. During the summer months, we're completely full. I think we'll do OK."
Although Oxford U-Lock is located off-campus, Byrd said students get more storage space for less than Miami's rates.
"We have 429 units," Byrd said. "A mid-size unit is 5 feet by 15 feet and costs $57.38 a month."
Students have mixed opinions about Miami's new storage service.
"I think it's a good idea for people who live out-of-state," first-year Jessie Riley said. "I wouldn't use the (Miami) service because I live close by. For me, the money would be wasted."
Graduate student Megan Ansley said because she is living off-campus, she would not store items through Miami's program. Ansley said the service is best suited to those live on campus because storage items are picked up and delivered from each student's room.
"I would use it if I lived at a residence hall," Ansley said. "It would be a lot easier. I know that when I lived in the dorms I had lots of stuff that I wouldn't touch during the summer."
More information can be found on the summer storage Web site at www.hdg.muohio.edu/Housing/SummerStorage.
