Carts in protest
On Friday students from a sociology class, equipped with a
homemade, cardboard food vendor cart, handed out flyers and candy
on the Lory Student Center Plaza to raise awareness about a problem
they said has gone on too long.
“The situation is that there are no good food places on campus
that are close and convenient,” said Da’Love Woods, member of the
Community Dynamics and Development class and senior sociology
major. “Unless of course you want to make a 10-mile hike and wait
in line for an eternity.”
The class is in the process of creating a business plan to
submit to Michael Ellis, executive director of the Lory Student
Center, who has the authority in overseeing issues such as food
vendors.
“I appreciate the student support and involvement in this
issue,” Ellis said in a class meeting on Oct. 2. “We will continue
to work with the sociology class on their business proposal, as
well as with students from outside the class.”
According to the students in the class, the business plan is
going to outline the need for an outdoor vendor on campus, describe
what qualities a food vendor should have and purpose the best place
for a vendor to be, all based on specific research the class is
conducting.
The class has created what they call an “action group” dedicated
to going out and getting support before the plan is submitted.
Standing behind the colorful cart was Helen Tran, a senior
sociology major and head of the action group.
“Hopefully we can get students to speak up loud enough to
eliminate the hassle that the student center sometimes poses,” Tran
said. “We have gotten a wonderful response so far. It seems that
everyone is interested in making this happen.”
Neelam Gala, sophomore biology major, likes the idea of vendors
on campus.
“It is a great idea because a lot of people don’t have time in
between classes to get something good to eat,” Gala said.
There were some students, however, who felt it was less of a
necessity.
“I just don’t know how necessary it is,” said Henry Fordyce, a
sophomore recreation and tourism major.
The class had originally started a plan to make it possible for
a specific vendor, Weston Router with Cheap, Fast and Good
Concessions, to be allowed to sell his food on campus. Router has a
burrito and taco cart in Old Town.
However, Ellis informed the class that if bringing in outside
vendors ever became possible, it would not be fair to give that
opportunity to only one specific vendor.
Therefore, a Request For Proposals would be issued where all
interested vendors would submit a proposal. Students and a
professional executive budget committee would evaluate all
proposals and choose a vendor based on specific characteristics
that they felt would best suit the overall needs of the
students.
“My caution is against getting caught up in meeting with just
one specific vendor,” Ellis said at the meeting. “We would want to
have a fair and competitive proposal process.”
Ellis also cautioned the class on many aspects that need to be
taken into consideration. He said proper data must be recovered
about what students want, where and when they want it, as well food
safety.
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