Students need more 'cents'
Campus Times
February 20, 1998
Rummaging through automobile ashtrays, old mugs and pant pockets full
of lint and paper scraps, many University of La Verne residents often complain
about the lack of change machines within residence halls and University
facilities.
Though the residents' complaints are legitimate and reasonable, they
are ultimately useless. Residents complain about the lack of quarters for
laundry and other needs, but are ignorant to a solution for the problem.
Rather than expressing their frustrations to authorities who could take
actions for improvement, they bicker among themselves, making it impossible
to be either pleased or heard.
It has been said that if one does not try something and is unhappy about
the outcome, he has no reason to complain. This should also apply to students
who complain without investigating the source of the solution first.
Quarters are the only coins accepted by residence hall washers and dryers;
there is no use for nickels, dimes or dollar bills. Therefore, in order
to wash clothes, residents are often left with the task of asking friends,
roommates or resident assistants (R.A.'s) to give them change in quarters.
If neither are available, they must go to the public post office, the University's
Law library or Wilson Library for change. This becomes a nuisance and a
repeated hassle, so residents automatically complain about not having change
machines within the facilities.
There are no questions. In a place where several hundred people are
required to do their laundry, change-dispensing machines are a necessity.
If the residents feel that a change machine is utterly necessary and overall
convenient, they need to voice that opinion to the authority in charge,
someone who can fulfill their requests.
As the Campus Times was investigating this issue, we discovered that
the machines were only a request away. Aramark Dining Services takes responsibility
for vending machines as well as for making change machines available.
According to Armen Ananian, food services director for Aramark, facility
change machines have been discussed in the past, but it has never been brought
to his attention that the lack of such machines is a problem.
"Getting a change machine is not a problem," Ananian said.
"In fact, I have one machine at home; I can get more machines, and
I will pay for them myself. The expense would not come from the school."
Ananian is prepared to take suggestions for placement of these change
machines, and is willing to solve the issue.
It seems like a minor issue, but to residents it is important. But it
is as important for students to learn how to solve a problem, rather than
just ranting and raving about it.
