CU Later Old Washers and Dryers

New and improved washer and dryer.
Photo Courtesy of Amy Ahern

Concord University has gone underway with construction making new of the school that was once founded in 1872. This involves repairing residence halls, and replacing new facilities in them. During Concord’s renovation, many things have changed and are still underway of changing; the most recent being new washer and dryers for the students living in the dormitories. 

    Director of Residence Life, Bill Fraley said, “Last June, the university had decided upon replacing the original washers and dryers as a contract could not be renewed. By September, the university got an agreement to get replacements from the company Caldwell & Gregory.” The new equipment was replaced over Christmas break upon the students arrival, and even came as a surprise to some.

    James Trent, Junior at Concord University was in shock by the new facilities as other renovations were going on around the school.“I had no idea about the replacement, I didn’t think they were going to honestly. With all these renovations I didn’t think they would switch the washers and dryers out for anything better right now. It’s welcomed though, and they seem to be doing a better job from what I’ve seen,” says Trent. 

    The new machines have come with an upgrade by allowing students to pay through debit cards or coins giving a more substantial option for payment. The machines take VISA, MasterCard, or Discover credit/debit and prepaid cards in the WaveRider. “ I think the debit card taker is a major convenience, though I’ve heard some people be distrustful of it. I haven’t heard anything bad actually happen, and I imagine if anything bad happened with someone’s debit card it would be a huge concern for Concord, but I’ve heard one or two people think it’s a bit untrustworthy to use their cards on public washers. I’ve also heard people think they can only use their cards now and then they go to the laundromat by Moe’s. That’s just silly though, they can still use quarters all they like,” says Trent. 

    This company added an app called “WaveRider” for students to scan a code to report any issues, or even access online monitoring to check machines for availability. The app is compatible with both Android and iPhone’s and can be used to set up an account and load funds. 

    Having this advanced technology equipped with the machines can be more helpful towards students as they are coming to and out of class, and could potentially cause fewer problems with other students removing clothes that do not belong to them in order to keep flow of uses. 

    Morgan Bibbee, senior at Concord University often uses the washers and dryers as she is hours away from her home town. “I usually do my laundry once a week here, and always seem to put more clothes in than I should. With these new washers and dryers though, they’re able to hold more. Which can be very helpful for students who are not commuters or live close to home like most of Concord’s students” says Bibbee. “I have downloaded the app now and find it quite useful when it comes to payment. This is so much easier instead of trying to rummage together enough quarters.” 

    “It’s a bit easier now, there’s definitely more options. Being able to mix and match different settings on them is definitely helpful, and I imagine will probably help people do more sensitive laundry. The kind of stuff that’s like “dry clean at -32 degrees for 3 seconds before tossing it up and chanting,” says Trent. 

    Did Concord up their game with the upgrade? Students seem to be enjoying the new change and welcoming the advanced technology with it. The university is continuously trying to further expand in growth and add utilities that can be helpful for the students and facility.