📦 ROM Package Retrieval aka Modern-Day Side Quest

Happy New Year, my fellow readers. ^_^ I haven’t been active lately (my bad lol), but I’m back to posting every once in a blue moon.

So, getting into the story today: like many HU students, I went back to my family for the long winter break and didn’t have to deal with package delivery chaos or cooking fatigue compared to cough, cough ROM. For once, things were normal.

Since I take Amtrak and don’t want to haul a bunch of luggage through those cramped aisles (seriously, just look at a photo online of the train’s interior (* ￣︿￣)), I did what made sense; I mailed two packages to campus via UPS. That’s what I did last year at PA Place, and it worked great.

But this time?
Total nightmare.

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📦 The Setup

I mailed:

• A 32-inch Roku TV (my monitor)
• A small box of electronics
  And I had an Amazon package set to arrive the same day, Tuesday.

All three were scheduled for delivery that afternoon.

I waited patiently until 9 pm, because that’s the usual time to get packages at ROM. I head down expecting all my stuff to be ready. And what do I find?

Only the Amazon box.
No TV. No electronics. Nothing else. ＼（〇_ｏ）／

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“Just Wait, It’ll Be Fine”

So I follow up. I explain the situation politely. I bring proof, such as showing them the tracking info on my UPS app and telling them what it looked like. Everything.

The response? Excuses. Shrugs. Delays.

Okay… maybe tomorrow will be better.

I go to the security desk, try again. Same approach. Same calm tone. I explain the RA situation. I show my delivery confirmation. I even offer to just grab the packages myself with permission since I know where they are.

Still nothing.
They acted annoyed at the idea of helping, as if I were asking them to lift a piano instead of handing me two small boxes. (っ °Д °;)っ

It honestly felt like I was talking to a brick wall.

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📦 Context Matters

For those wondering, these are U-Haul boxes, not 70-lb mystery crates.

• One is 7 pounds
• The other is 6 pounds
  They are clearly labeled, easy to move, and already inside the mailroom.

What’s worse is that I’ve had this same situation before: during winter packing, I didn’t get an email about my U-Haul order, went to the security desk, and they helped me out. No attitude, no problem.

So… what changed?

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📧 Emailing Help

At this point, I was frustrated enough to email Housing directly. Thankfully, they responded and said they’d help. Sounds good, right?

Except…

Due to “schedule conflicts,” they still can’t give me my package until the usual 9pm to 12am timeframe.

You’re telling me not one RA in the entire building can unlock the door or give me access for five minutes? Not even during the afternoon? What even is the point of having packages delivered to the university if you have to jump through flaming hoops just to get them?

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(●’◡’●) Final Thoughts

This whole situation pissed me off more than it should’ve, but I was tired. I’d just gotten back from break. I was doing my best to be respectful, and I still got stonewalled over two small boxes.

What’s the point of a “residence mail system” if it doesn’t actually function like one? Why does every delivery feel like a scavenger hunt mixed with a social puzzle?

ROM’s package system either needs a total overhaul or some basic flexibility. Because this isn’t just annoying; it’s exhausting.

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TL;DR:

• ROM mailroom = chaos
• Proof and politeness don’t get you anywhere
• Packages are there, but you can’t get them until the middle of the night
• Sometimes even Housing can’t override the delay
• Maybe we deserve better systems. Just a thought.

Now later on I’ll just try to go for UPS P.O boxes instead. Probably will be less of a hassle instead. ◑﹏◐

See you later guys.