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.