A new school year has started, and with it comes a new class of students. One thing that always catches everyone’s eye is the vending machines. Students flock to them every day for a quick snack during break, lunch, or passing period. They are a popular commodity for the entire student body, yet raise some concerns. Let’s dive into the vending machine discussion and see if they deserve the praise they receive.
There are two vending machines located outside the 400s building. They offer various drinks and snacks such as Welch’s gummies and Zero-Sugar Gatorade. The vending machines take cash, Apple Pay, and credit cards. The vending machines are not owned by the school, but rather by an outside party.
Nevertheless, many people enjoy quick access to snacks at school and appreciate the vending machines. Others have brought up how the vending machines are not worth the problems they bring. Although the vending machines are very convenient and make it simple to grab food or a drink, they can be unreliable and take your money in return for nothing. This lack of consistency may deter students who do not want to spend money and time for nothing in return.
The prices are usually not a problem for most students. This means that everyone at the school should be able to enjoy the benefits of having on-campus vending machines. They offer a multitude of options, considering there’s both a snack and drink vending machine. The variety makes it so that most people will be able to get something they enjoy.
Although the vending machines have many options, school lunches are free and offer various, changing meals. If someone doesn’t have the funds to use the machines or gets tired of the stale options, they can simply wait in line and get a free meal. However, this isn’t a perfect solution, as the lines are long and they take a while to get through, making the vending machines much better for a good, quick snack. Students often don’t want an entire meal they won’t finish.
A portion of MV students may agree that the vending machines are in a good and accessible location, while others argue that they cause traffic jams when entering, exiting, or just passing by the 400s building. Their spot is nestled between the outdoor stairs and the doors. The spot is debated because, while the line of people is mostly out of the way of the people on the stairs, it can get confusing as to where the line starts and ends when there is traffic moving up and down the stairs. “There’s always a really big line,” said freshman Vatsika Neelakandan. “I’ve never gotten something from the vending machine because I know it would take too long.”
Overall, the vending machines are a great part of the school. They give hungry students a way to get a snack between classes. Though some people dislike the problems they can cause, there are alternatives and solutions they can use, like going to the machines during times when they aren’t crowded. Many people enjoy the variety of snacks and drinks, and could not survive the day without the vending machines.
