Some Iowa State postal workers are disgruntled.

The thought may bring fear and terror into the minds and hearts of post office patrons. However, these disgruntled workers are students right here at Iowa State. And where they live may determine where they may, and may not, work.

Currently, about 15 postal workers are fighting to keep their jobs.

A Richard Court Association (RCA) rule says postal workers must live on campus. Several current workers are planning to move off-campus at the end of the semester, but they want to keep their jobs on campus. And several say they wouldn’t have accepted the job if they had known about the rule.

Sally Deters, RCA coordinator of resident life, said people who choose to move off campus are choosing to give up their post office jobs. “A preference will be given to live-in students, but we’re not telling anyone they can’t apply for a job,” she said.

Job preferences? They’ve been popular in affirmative action programs. Preferences to women and minorities have been debated. Now some are giving preferences to people who live on campus. Doesn’t this sound a little ridiculous?

Understandably, the residence halls want to promote university residence halls. But denying someone a job because he lives off campus is another story.

Both on- and off-campus students work at food service in the residence halls? Food service actually encourages off-campus students to work for them. How is the post office any different?

Current postal workers planning to move off campus shouldn’t be forced to leave their jobs because they weren’t informed of the policy.

The question is: Why did RCA decide to suddenly enforce the rule? And why was it so lax before?