Michigan State University’s (MSU) Residence Education and Housing Services (REHS) is introducing Amazon lockers in select residence halls as part of a strategic initiative to centralize and enhance campus services. During the 2023-24 academic year, 368,000 packages were delivered to students living in residence halls and apartments, with Amazon packages accounting for almost 50% of all deliveries. The new lockers aim to streamline the package retrieval process, offering students faster and more convenient access to their orders.

“Overwhelmingly, students utilize us for package pickup,” says Associate Director for Business Operations Christopher Stone-Sewalish.

Recognizing this trend, REHS sought solutions to handle the increasing volume efficiently.  

“Amazon lockers are a really convenient and efficient way to get students their packages faster,” Stone-Sewalish adds. “Students are able to schedule deliveries to those spaces, which helps eliminate some steps for them.”

Piloting the Lockers 
The pilot phase has included installing lockers at Holden, Owen and Brody halls. The implementation has been strategic, focusing on high-traffic areas to maximize usage and feedback.

Holden was chosen for its centralized layout, adding a locker to each tower. Brody’s high volume of residents made it an ideal test site. Owen Hall was selected for its unique role of housing visiting scholars, ensuring they also benefit from the new service. As of early January, all four lockers are operational and available for residents to select when ordering products from Amazon.  

Cost-Effective Solutions and Future Expansion 
One of the significant advantages of the Amazon lockers is their cost-effectiveness. This financial efficiency allows the university to improve student services without passing additional costs onto students.

“The lockers are at very little cost to us — technically no cost except for some installation items,” says Stone-Sewalish.

To assess the success of the pilot program, MSU plans to collect data on locker usage and gather student feedback. A survey developed in collaboration with the Lean Enterprise and Assessment office will enable students to share their experiences and suggestions. If the data shows a high level of engagement, REHS will explore expanding lockers to additional halls.

The university is optimistic the lockers will not only enhance convenience but also integrate seamlessly into students' daily routines. By providing a faster, self-service option for package pickup, MSU aims to meet students' evolving needs while optimizing campus resources.

Looking Ahead: Enhancing Student Convenience 
Students are encouraged to use the lockers and provide feedback through the upcoming survey to help shape the future of package services across campus.

“Every step we take is focused on improving the student experience,” says Stone-Sewalish. “We want to ensure that our services are not only efficient but also something students genuinely appreciate and rely on.”

Author: Daniela Del Castillo