By Brianna Wallen
News Editor
The days of swiping for laundry are officially numbered as the university prepares to eliminate laundry fees entirely starting next semester.
This new initiative effectively erases a major student stressor, making laundry one less expense for students to worry about.
“Beginning next year, laundry will be included in the cost of housing, and students living on campus will not have to pay extra to use residence hall washers and dryers,” Residence Life sent in an automated email to all residents on March 27.
The university’s decision to transition to free laundry facilities was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from students.
Relieved of constantly swiping their Hoot Loot card, residents have embraced the new policy as a significant win for both their budgets and their peace of mind.
“It’s actually amazing. Like, I’m so excited for that,” accounting major Kendrick Lagamo, a junior, said. “I had three years of paying for laundry, so I’m ready to save money for my last year.”
Lagamo said he is excited to be free from the constant cycle of paying to keep things clean.
“I would spend like $4-$8 every week just on laundry, so my money would be going down the drain for simply cleaning my clothes,” Lagamo said.
For Lagamo and other students, free laundry represents not just convenience but meaningful savings over time.
Public health major Marvin Escalera Jr., a junior, also supports the idea. Escalera said that the new policy is a game changer for residents tired of hauling heavy bags of laundry across town every weekend.
“It’s more convenient; a lot of people don’t have to go back home to wash their clothes,” Escalera said.
Despite the convenience, Escalera questioned whether the change actually reduces costs or simply shifts them elsewhere.
“The laundry is not completely free because we are still paying for it in our bill,” Escalera said. However, Escalera also raised concerns about the potential downsides of increased demand.
“I feel like everyone is going to be using the laundry, and it’s going to make laundry day longer,” Escalera said.
Due to the absence of funds, it is likely that communal laundry rooms will evolve into high-traffic hubs of student activity.
Escalera is also concerned that the increased activity could lead to more frequent equipment failures.
“There’s a high possibility for the machines to be broken due to the extensive usage, and the utility room is going to be messy,” Escalera said.
To address this, Escalera suggested the university consider adding more equipment to keep up with demand.
“I think they should add another set of washers and dryers to prevent that,” Escalera said.
Overall, while free laundry gives students financial relief, the university’s ability to maintain and possibly expand the facilities will determine how successful the program is next semester.
