The days of waiting endlessly to use a washer or dryer in college residence halls may be over thanks to a new Web-based system being used at Ball State University.

The system allows students to log on to a Web site to check on the availability of a washer or dryer, reserve it, check how much time is left and receive e-mail when the laundry is done.

Wash Alert was developed by Alliance Laundry Systems, the largest commercial laundry manufacturer in North America. The technology is being used in several residence halls on the Ball State campus, including Dehority, Noyer, Studebaker West and Woodworth as well as Scheidler Apartments.

"Wash Alert has made laundry more convenient for our students, who are very busy with classes, studying, volunteer projects and campus activities," said Eva Newnam, assistant director of business services for Housing and Residence Life at Ball State. "Overall, our students have been excited and positive about the system. About half our residents have access to it, and it will most likely be included in new construction projects."

The system is being marketed to colleges and universities across the nation by the Ripon, Wis.-based company, a manufacturer of Speed Queen washers and dryers. Wash Alert is also being used at Ohio University and the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Ball State is the first university in Indiana to incorporate the system into its residence halls, said Dick Casey, director of sales for multi-unit housing products for Alliance Laundry Systems.

"There is a great deal of interest as universities are seeking to improve their amenities that bring a higher level of convenience to their campuses," he said. "We see it as a unique feature that allows students to do their laundry more efficiently. Now, you don't have to run down the hallway or to another floor to see if the washer is open."

(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Newnam at enewnam@bsu.edu or (765) 285-8003.)