The campus video store, a project four years in the making, is scheduled to debut early next fall. It was significantly delayed because a suitable location for the store could not be found.

SGA and Dining Services plan to house the video store in the area currently occupied by the travel office in Connelly Center.

That office will either move to the former Ticketmaster location or move its services online.

“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this project will move forward,” Tim Dietzler, director of Dining Services, said.

“The travel office has been extremely cooperative in our efforts.”

The video store will carry up to 100 DVD and VHS titles, most of which will be new releases selected by a committee of SGA members. The video store will also carry a number of video games and movie snacks.

SGA and Dining Services are also looking to run a program in conjunction with the library in which reserved academic titles would be made available for students to rent from the video store. Currently, students are required to view reserved videos in the library without the rental option.

The rental fee will most likely be $3 per title paid by cash, Wildcard or credit card will be accepted. Students will have to return rentals after 24 hours and late returns will result in an automatic $3 renewal charge. SGA and Dining Services also plan to include a video drop box for students’ convenience. The store will be open daily from 10 a.m. until the Connelly Center closes.

Dietzler, SGA President Maureen Holland and SGA video store chairman Harry Metzinger spearheaded the project.

“After four years of working on this idea SGA is very proud to provide this video store for students,” Holland said.

Metzinger agreed. “It is amazing to see the strides we’ve made on this project since September,” he said.

SGA and Dining Services is holding a “name that video store” contest in which students are asked to provide an original logo and/or title for the store. The winner will receive a free year of video rentals (one per week) and a home theater system valued at $450. The deadline for submissions next Friday.