Last year, I was living in the dorms, and like any college student, I would crave snacks at night. I was lucky enough to live in Copper, which was the only dorm building equipped with a vending machine.
However, whether the vending machine would actually work would be a problem all on its own. This year, I have noticed a few new vending machines around campus, especially the one in the library, but UCCS lacks enough vending machines and food options overall.
Having vending machines would be profitable for UCCS. It seems like we could use the extra money. I definitely think vending machines are overpriced, but have I bought several Pepsis from the vending machine at school? Yes, obviously. I’m sure other students find themselves dropping a pretty penny for a refreshing drink every once in a while, too.
Additionally, UCCS food options are closed on the weekends and during the day the casual snack spots tend to close early. If UCCS provides snack vending machines around campus, they would become part of people’s routines to get their favorite snack while being in the building.
Even though I don’t live on campus anymore, I still find myself staying late at the library. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve scoured my backpack looking for any food item I may have put in their days prior, like a crumpled-up granola bar, which is as appetizing as it sounds. I’m really not a snacker either, but I still need energy when it comes to doing homework or studying.
Right now, the drink vending machines offer Pepsi products, Gatorade, Rockstar energy drinks and Bubly sparkling water. Based on what Clyde’s Cafe has in their fridges, I think there could be some better beverage options in there, and expanding the number of vending machines on campus — especially ones that offer snacks — would only increase convenience and profit.
Celsius in a vending machine in the Osborne Center. Photo by Josiah Dolan.