Campus bookstore quiet, offering appointment-based returns

By Laci Sutton / Staff Writer

The semester is coming to an end, which usually means the Hutchinson Community College Campus Store is bustling with the students returning books or snagging some last-minute apparel.

With the COVID-19 global pandemic closing down campus, this semester it’s looking a bit different. 

This year, there’s no line running out the bookstore doors. The excitement from the end of the semester is subpar. 

“It is almost too quiet,” said Amber Crick, Campus Store manager. “Not seeing the people around (staff and students) is almost eerie.” 

Crick is currently working from home while the other full-time staff members are working on rotation to keep the store running.  

Sue Dudley is one of the workers on rotation in the HutchCC campus store. 

“It is lonely being the only person in the store,” Dudley said. “I do miss my co-workers. It’s much better to discuss things eyeball to eyeball instead of via jabber or email. We can get more accomplished.”

Students needing to return books

With classes coming to an end and summer break quickly approaching, it’s time to dig out those textbooks and get them back to where they came from. 

For students who rented their books or have them on a scholarship, books can be returned through the mail. Detailed instructions on how to do this are located in DragonZone. 

Book-rental students have until May 15 to return textbooks to avoid a $50 late fee. 

Local students who do not wish to ship their returns may bring them into the store after setting up an appointment with staff. 

Students should be checking their DragonZone, or the COVID-19 section of the HutchCC webpage, for the latest updates on the on the campus’ situation. 

After checking those, if there are still questions, you can contact the Campus Store via email at campusstore@hutchcc.edu or by phone at 620-665-3517.

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