I won’t switch to direct deposit. No amount of inconvenience will change my mind, so I wish the university would not push the students.

Human Resources has said it wants 90 percent of the student body to get direct deposit; members of the university made presentations at a Student Senate meeting; and the university changed the procedure of picking up a paycheck if a student does not have direct deposit.

Forty-nine percent of the student workers use direct deposit. Obviously, 90 percent of the student workers do not want direct deposit without a little pushing first. I’m willing to guess some of those students with direct deposit only use it because of the change in picking up paychecks.

Human Resources and this university are not just offering a convenient service for those who want it; they’re inconveniencing those who do not want it. They have an agenda, and they’re not unbiased on the issue.

They’re not just getting the word out; they’re pushing it. Although it’s commendable they know what they want to do and are going after it, it’s obnoxious.

Before Friday, students picked up their checks from their supervisors. It was a convenient way of getting a paycheck. Students just picked up their paycheck when they were at work, just like they’d pick up a paycheck from Wal-Mart at Wal-Mart or the mall from the mall. Employees don’t have to go to Wal-Mart corporation, and, in Eastern’s case, employees didn’t have to go to the “headquarters” of the Cashier’s Office in Old Main.

I’m not afraid of computer glitches or anything like that; maybe I’m just traditional, and I like to get my check. Also, I’d like to get my check and chose to put it in checking or savings every month. Other people may be the same way, or they may want to actually cash their check.

When news of the switch first came about, students feared a long line as all student employees attacked the Cashier’s Office, wanting their paychecks. I wasn’t sure what the scene would be like, but I didn’t really fear a long wait. As it turned out, I did not have to wait in line.

Still, the first thing I noticed was a sign saying to get direct deposit to avoid the hassle. Someone either knows the new pick-up procedure is a hassle, or they want the majority of workers who are still receiving a paper check to think it’s a hassle, so they’ll get direct deposit.

The change is not that much of a hassle. Many employees will probably have to walk out of their way, but that’s OK. Soon the weather will be nicer, and the North Quad really is one of the more beautiful parts of campus. Being almost forced to walk there will force me to take 10 to 15 minutes of my day once a month to relax a little and will give me some good thinking time.

Students also might see some people they don’t see too often. Friday I saw a girl from high school I rarely see on campus, another friend I don’t see often enough and interim President Lou Hencken — people I would not have seen had I just had to walk across the hall from the newsroom office to pick up my check.

Nonetheless, they are working to take away students’ choice. Faculty members already don’t have a choice; they have to have direct deposit. The situation could be worse for students. At least as long as we don’t mind the “hassle” of getting to walk to the North Quad and not waiting in line, we can still get a real paycheck.