For students who mourned the loss of Blockbuster Video on campus last semester, a similar service is now available in the Alumni Memorial Union.

When Blockbuster went out of business at its Campus Town location, Marquette's Auxiliary Services recognized the need for a place for students to rent movies.

Todd Vicker, executive director of Auxiliary Services, said the university worked with a vending contractor to place a Box Office Express DVD rental machine in the AMU.

"We wanted to fill a gap for our students," Vicker said. "This technology has been used in Europe for a few years now so we thought we'd give it a try."

Don Wadewitz, program coordinator for the AMU, said a vendor from MP Hansen Enterprises contacted Marquette last summer about installing the DVD rental machine, but at that time there was no need for it. He said Auxiliary Services contacted the vendor after Blockbuster went out of business.

The machine was brought to the Brooks Lounge over Christmas break, Vicker said.

Wadewitz said students can sign up for a membership card in the Brooks Lounge.

Students receive the card seven to 10 days after they sign up. Money can be added to the membership card using a credit card, similar to the way money is added to a MarquetteCard.

"Quite a few people have used the machine," Wadewitz said.

Movies cost $2 for a 24-hour rental, he said. Students who rent five movies receive the sixth movie free.

"The vendor comes in every week with new releases. He usually has 60 releases with two to three copies of each release," Wadewitz said.

Wadewitz said the machine can hold over 700 movies. There are currently about 150 movies in the machine.

"We're working on getting video games, as well as movies that students may need to watch for classes, in the machine," Wadewitz said.

Wadewitz said Auxiliary Services is working with the vendor to figure out a way for students to use their MarquetteCard to rent movies with MarquetteCash.

There is also a Box Office Express machine located at Marquette Tanning and Laundry. Dana Stanciel, a cashier there, said she has seen a few people use the machine.

Vicker said the machine was placed at Marquette Tanning and Laundry so students can rent movies during hours when the Brooks Lounge is closed.

The Brooks Lounge is open Monday through Friday from noon to midnight and Saturday and Sunday from 2:30 p.m. until midnight.

Jon Weber, a freshman in the College of Arts & Sciences, did not know the machine was in place but said he would consider using it.

"There really is nowhere else to go to get movies," Weber said. "You can borrow from friends, but if they don't have it the Union is the only alternative."

Wadewitz said the vendor has called Marquette one of the most promising locations for the Box Office Express. Machines also have been installed at two University of Wisconsin schools — Parkside and Green Bay.

This article appeared in The Marquette Tribune on Feb. 8 2005.