Plans for a full-service SIUC Student Center Post Office have been put on hold because concerns raised at a Sept. 6 Civil Service Council meeting indicated the project could harm locally owned private postal office centers, an SIUC official says.

Of the two privately owned businesses, one owner said he was in complete support of a Student Center Post Office while the other said it could hurt his business.

David Klaproth, owner of Mailboxes Etc., said he is in favor of a post office in the Student Center.

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I think the students deserve it, Klaproth said. My businesses are chosen to serve people off campus.

However, Klaproth said a post office in the Student Center may hurt other businesses in the area.

Dirk Borgsmiller, owner of the USA Postal Center, said most of his business comes from SIUC students and he is not in favor of a Student Center Post Office.

Ninety percent of my business is students, Borgsmiller said.

Borgsmiller said the impact on his business is not his only concern if a post office were to open in the Student Center.

I don’t think it is a good idea for state and local governments to go against small business ,which is what this would do, he said.

Borgsmiller said it is not right for the directors of the Student Center and the Post Office to get together without advising local businesses of their actions.

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T.J. Rutherford, acting director of the Student Center, said post office plans are now on hold and are being considered further up the administrative ladder.

Lawrence Juhlin, associate vice president of student affairs, said the idea of having a full-fledged post office in the Student Center has been discussed for years but is now a more serious proposition.

The new postmaster approached us and said they could provide full service, which would reduce lines at the other post offices, Juhlin said.

He said a post office in the Student Center would be beneficial for all students especially international students because they receive so many packages.

Juhlin said he could not comment on the reasons for the delay and Harvey Welch, vice-president for student affairs, could not be reached for comment.