Students lack refreshment Spot
Campus Times
March 12, 1999
A funny thing happened while I was preparing for this week's column.
For whatever reason, the temperature was extremely hot inside the Campus
Times office earlier this week. And usually, the climate inside the office
is more fit for a December day in Alaska than California any time of year.
A byproduct of this excess heat, at least with me, is thirst. So I tried
to find the nearest outlet for refreshment.
Since the aquatics center, also known as Las Flores Park, is a little
far to walk, I figured an ice cold beverage would do the trick.
But this is where the funny thing-or series of comical events-happened.
As any person in their right mind can see, the Spot is not completed,
although it is about the middle of March, which was the time the Spot was
advertised to be re-opened.
So I had to look elsewhere for my precious liquid refreshment.
My stroll found me walking past the head men's volleyball coach Jack
Coberly's office and around the corner to the vending machines.
I pulled out a crisp $1 bill, because those machines will not take a
dollar that has the slightest bit of a crease. I tried to insert it in the
slot, when, to my surprise, the "use correct change" light came
on.
After digging deep into my pockets, finding a few quarters, a dime or
two and a nickel, I tried to use correct change, as instructed.
The machine seemed ready to accept my correct change after the two quarters.
So I just needed to drop the dime and nickel into the soda outlet for my
Coca-Cola Classic.
My hand gripped the dime and dropped it into the machine. The dime slid
back into the change return.
I thought maybe the machine was not ready for it, so I tried it again.
Same result. I then figured the dime was bad and tried the nickel. Again,
I had to retrieve my money from the return.
I stood there for five minutes or so trying to outsmart this soda temple
but had no luck.
Mentally exhausted, I returned to the office without a soda, and I am
still not sure if the laughter I heard was from the machine or from the
contractors and subcontractors, who stand around -- I mean, who are revamping
the Spot to look better than ever.
Maybe to some, my gripe is just that of one journalist, who, on just
a random day, was nearly paralyzed by his own thirst. Or perhaps, as is
my duty, my voice represents that of the student body at ULV.
The students are tired of having to wait for Davenport Dining Hall to
make time for them.
The students are fed up with the idea of having to give up their parking
spots every time they get hungry or thirsty.
The Spot was a center of convenience for a quick bite to eat or, as
in my case, a soda.
Sure, the Spot is opening soon. And I am sure, the atmosphere of it
will be improved. But that is not the point.
The point is ULV students deserve better than a construction zone between
classes.
They need a place to go where the food is fresh, the sodas are refreshing
and a nail gun is far from sight.
They do not need a place with a metal roof that looks like something
out of a Star Wars movie.
They need a place to sit and enjoy the 50-plus inch television, blasting
music videos all day.
Why else would the ULV students cry out and rearrange the letters on
the Spot's plans, which once read, "Opening Early March," and
now reads, "Opening Late March."
The students have spoken, using a mild form of vandalism as their language.
When is someone going to step up to the plate and answer them? When is someone
going to quit hiring so many subcontractors? And most importantly, when
is someone going to install that soda fountain?
When the Spot is finally reopened, I hope I will be able to give my
dimes and nickels to an employee without worrying about my change being
spit back at me.
Greg MacDonald, a junior journalism major, is editor in chief of
the Campus Times. He can be reached by e-mail at gmacdona@ulv.edu.
