Coffee shop setbacks percolates anger with students
Student dissent is brewing over the coffee shop earmarked for the Reta E. King Library.
The coffee shop will feature a self-service K-Cup dispenser instead of a full-service barista, fulfilling its original plan, head of dining services Tracy Shuck said.
“It was never designed like a real coffee shop,” Shuck said Wednesday morning. “A couple of factors determined why there will only a K-Cup dispenser. One is money, two is traffic.”
Shuck said that he has no control over the opening date.
Shuck’s explanation came on the heels of an email sent Monday to The Eagle by Student Association Vice President Nathaniel Jones stating that students had been expecting a full service shop. Jones stated that he acquired his information from a student who serves on a planning committee.
“I find this absolutely outrageous that we have been told we are getting a coffee shop and this is what they are giving us,” Jones’ email states. “I feel that when students realize this they are going to be extremely dissatisfied.”
In this week’s Student Association meeting, turmoil over the coffee shop erupted among student representatives. However, Association Faculty Adviser Susan Schaeffer explained the reason for the self-serve system.
“Because the previous barista style coffee shops were a failure, a K-cup style will be provided until demand is demonstrated,” Schaeffer said in Monday’s association meeting. (See Student Association story, page 2.)
She also said the shop is expected to open in fall 2014. Her projection is at least the second anticipated opening. Earlier this year, The Eagle reported that Physical Facilities Coordinator Blair Brennan had projected the shop would be open at the end of February.
“There are a lot of stories of what they (students) think it was,” Shuck said. “Sure there might be some disappointment, but if they are open-minded and it’s a new point of service on campus they can use within a program, I think it will be OK.”
I inquired on the coffee shop status at our last senate meeting. After visiting with my constituents of what I had learned the feedback I got was not good. There was a lot of tension and extreme disappointment. Students said they would not use a kcup style and it would not get them into the learning complex. They said they can do that in there dorm room with a Kurig. Others said they have no problem getting in there car and driving downtown to get what they want. They spend a good amount of there spare money getting coffee. All students said however it would be more convenient to have a coffee shop on campus. They would be more likely to do group projects, meetings, and study in the library if there was a real coffee shop. I got the same response from faculty I visited with. I believe it is unfair to judge the traffic of the previous coffee shops because they were located in the basement of the library. And according to Dr. Schaffer visitor numbers last year were up 15,000 and total 30,000 visitors. Also all the old coffee shop equipment is located in the bottom of Kent and the coffee shop facility has been built. They already plan on staffing someone over there full time regardless. So I guess I’m curious about the cost factor. I believe with these factors and the response from the student body the coffee shop issue needs to addressed again.
Well then get on it, chief.