EMU Today

YPSILANTI -- Eastern Michigan University is teaming up with Amazon to open a new Amazon pickup location on the University’s Ypsilanti campus – becoming the first college in Michigan to offer a fully-staffed pickup location.

Eastern joins other universities working with Amazon, including: Purdue University; University of Massachusetts Amherst; University of California, Berkeley; University of Pennsylvania; University of Texas at Austin; University of California, Davis; Georgia Institute of Technology; California State University, Long Beach; University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; University of Illinois, Chicago; University of California, San Diego; and Stony Brook University.

Students, faculty and staff at Eastern will have the convenience of picking-up orders placed through Amazon at the Eastern Michigan University Student Center. Amazon Prime and Prime Student members also will receive expedited shipping benefits, including free same-day or free one-day pickup on millions of items when shipped to the pickup location. The pickup location will be constructed adjacent to the EMU bookstore, utilizing a portion (approximately 3,250 sq. ft.) of the current space allocated to the bookstore.

“This is an exciting project that will further enhance the Eastern Michigan campus and our services to students, faculty and staff,” said Chief Financial Officer Michael Valdes. “Having one of the world’s most recognized and popular brands on our campus, while offering a valuable and helpful service to our campus community, is a win-win for everyone involved.”

The space for the new pickup location is modern – reflecting technology and user-friendly interfaces. The spaces have been well received at other college locations around the country.

“We’re excited to offer the greater Eastern Michigan University community a convenient location to pick up and return Amazon orders,” said Ripley MacDonald, director of student programs, Amazon. “From everyday essentials to technology, we’re thrilled to be able to bring the convenience of shopping on Amazon here to Ypsilanti.”

Details of the project were approved at the April 2017 public meeting of the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents, including the lease terms and Amazon’s capital investment (click on link to view Board action item).

Construction began this week with estimated completion during fall 2017.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 22,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.