For many students at Masters, such misadventures are not rare incidents. Senior boarder Anna Caponnetto Insa shared, “Many orders get dropped off at the back of FC (Fonseca Center), or the Masters circle.” Part of the problem stems from unclear or incorrect addresses.
Security guard Diana Corrao recalled one freshman’s address appearing as “Ardsley” due to a Google Maps error. Since students rush to class and silence their phones, early morning orders are often left without sufficient guidance.
The vast span of the 96-acre Masters campus may be the greatest obstacle. After reaching campus, many drivers struggle to navigate to a specific dormitory. For immigrant drivers unfamiliar with English or Google Maps, the campus can feel like a maze. Miscommunicated and frustrated drivers often leave small bags scattered across the 96-acre campus.
The delivery dilemma also reflects the broader social struggles faced by immigrant drivers. According to El País, a Spanish newspaper, 3.5 to 4.5 million immigrants work for Uber and DoorDash nationwide, comprising approximately 45% of all delivery drivers. In New York City, this proportion reaches 90%.
Many drivers face relentless pressure from the platform to reach many customers within a tight window. According to Business of Apps, the average Uber Eats delivery takes about 30 minutes per customer, including long travel distances, leaving little time for careful navigation. Drivers on Reddit posted about wasting 10 to 15 minutes waiting for the restaurants to prepare their orders, forcing them to rush to compensate. For most drivers, the hourly wage ranges from $15 to $25. Approximately 90% of Uber Eats customers tip drivers, which accounts for a significant portion of driver income.
The drivers’ rush poses a potential danger to the campus. Corrao said, “They occasionally [delivery drivers] speed up the hill.” Students searching for their orders risk encountering fast-moving vehicles. The Associate Head of Upper School for Student Life, Jeff Carnevale, shared that some drivers once attempted to enter dorms, regarding them as regular apartments. ‘The top priority of our policy is safety, ’ Carnevale put it. These incidents led to tightening and reclarifying rules to guarantee student safety, such as not propping the door open under any circumstances.
The security office plays an understated role in safeguarding campus boundaries. Corrao explained, “When we find a lost order during patrol, we email dorm parents and notify the student.” Their quiet effort to manage deliveries deserves both acknowledgment and gratitude.
In response to the struggle, Corrao suggested installing three pick-up shelves around campus. Correspondingly, students can attach standardized, photo-based navigation guides to help drivers locate the correct buildings.
