Vending machines not just for food anymore

A new vending machine offering school supplies was installed in front of the campus bookstore to make it easier for students to get a hold of common school supplies. Manager of the bookstore, Erica Spann, said the machine has only been operable for about two weeks. "It was delivered on Oct. 7 and was up and running on Nov. 3," Spann said. Although certain supplies are available outside the bookstore in the hallway, she said the traffic inside is still about the same. "I haven't noticed that there has been any difference in the amount of students," Spann said.

The vice president of public and campus relations for Follett bookstore, Cliff Ewert, said that prices are not quite the same as those inside the bookstore, but wasn't sure what the difference was. Some checking showed that the prices in the machine are priced higher by just a few pennies. You would pay 35 cents more for Sharpies, 50 cents more for pencils and $1.30 more for transparency markers.

Corey Parker, 18, said he didn't think the price change was fair.

"I'll make sure I get what I need before," Parker said. "I'm not going to pay 30 cents for a 23-cent scantron." District director of DCCCD bookstores, Eric Peterson, spoke about the idea behind getting the machines. "Krista Slejco, the vice president of business services at North Lake, Steve Ledford at the DCCCD service center, and myself all had a part in getting these machines in," Peterson said. "There was a need for students, such as fast track and evening students, to get to supplies during non-business hours. We think this will simplify things for everyone. "

Peterson said he feels that students whose school hours do not fit within the bookstore's hours of operation will appreciate the machines the most. "I was at Richland and a group of students from fast track needed pencils to take a test," Peterson said. "They saw the machine and were saying that it was like the pencils had been sent from above. They thought it was a great idea." When talking about the future of the machine Peterson is enthusiastic. "Everybody has been very happy with it so far," Peterson said. " We'll find out what things aren't so popular and move things in that the students find more useful. We want to tailor it to fit the needs of the students." Future additions may include items such as jump drives and floppy disks according to Peterson.