Prepare to stand in a tent to get your books this quarter.
That’s the word from Sinclair Community College Tartan Bookstore Manager Ronald Bultema and Customer Service Manager Elizabeth Schleman.
“We’re trying to keep it organized in a first-in-first-out kind of process,” Bultema said. “By us having to take over the lobby … we ran out of room for the number of people coming in, and we needed to have the organization.”
That’s not the only change you can expect during the rush. The bookstore is also adding more registers and looking up schedule and bus pass information while students are in line instead of when they’re checking out.
“During the rush period, we will be using all 12 registers in the physical building as sale registers as well as an additional four out in the lobby,” Schleman said. “Then there will be three registers that we will be using for return and buy back in the lobby.”
All of the changes are meant to create organization and flow during the rush period, according to Bultema. He said the bookstore has worked closely with Sinclair’s IT department to improve processing time.
“Think of a funnel,” Bultema said. “At the top of the funnel more water, or more students, are being poured into the funnel, but at the bottom of the funnel it’s only so big. It doesn’t matter how much more you put in it, you can only process it at a certain speed.”
Fine Arts student Kristin Bailey thinks having the tent outside is a positive thing.
“I actually support it, especially with spring coming up,” Bailey said. “I think it will be more conducive to the students if they have someplace to wait, especially if (the bookstore) suspect people are having to wait outside.”
Dental Hygiene students Julie sink and Michele Tubbs both thought having more registers for students is a good idea.
“Maybe there could be a line for programs,” Tubbs said.
Music major Robert Morrow had to wait in line for his financial aid information in winter quarter, and he likes that the tent will have a way for students to get bus pass information.
“That should get people through the line faster,” Morrow said.
Both Bultema and Schleman said that students who don’t want to stand in a long line should either purchase books online or come in the evening when lines are shorter.
“Monday morning first thing: if you’re trying to avoid the rush, that’s not the time to come,” Schleman said.
“That’s why I say it’s exactly like a Black Friday,” Bultema added. “Everyone wants to be there on the first day.”