Waiting...

One thing all SF State students have in common is time spent standing, single file, behind one another during the first weeks of the semester.

"I waited in line for 45 minutes," Julie Golovkin, a senior in liberal studies, said in reference to the long twisted lines clogging the bookstore aisles the day after classes began. "It was out of control, the worst I've ever seen."

This semester's student body, reaching a high of approximately 27,300, is a contributing factor. Lines remained long yesterday, mapped by black, red and blue tape strewn through the bookstore, and red tape arrows at the financial aid office. A small number of students remained roped in line at the cashiers office, in addition to the pileup behind Versatel machines and bathrooms during lunch hours.

"Lines are as long as last semester, but now they are moving faster (in the bookstore)," George Cirilo, loss control coordinator said.

New computers installed last semester at the bookstore registers have cut the credit card authorization time in half according to bookstore custom

Cirilo said the store ran smoother than last semester because the computers did not crash. Last year the bookstore was shut down approximately 10 times because the new computer system crashed and because stagnant lines caused overcrowding. This semester the store was only shut down once, last Thursday, because of overcrowding. The store has not yet had to give students complimentary candy to calm them as they did last semester, according to Cirilo.

"The only problem is the return line," Cirilo said.

Gator Aid officer Angel Lopez, sophomore, said he waited for an hour to purchase books on Tuesday afternoon, but said the line seemed to move faster than previous semesters.

"I'd rather drive back at night then stand in line all day," senior Harry Overstreet, who has yet to buy his books, said.

[ Golden Gater Online September 5, 1996 ]

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