$2.19 for a cup of noodles, $5.00 for a box of cereal, and $2.35 for two ounces of instant coffee — these are a few examples of the prices students encounter on campus at places such as the Mini-Mart and Laville Food Emporium.
The Laville Food Emporium is open six days a week and is located behind East and West Laville. The Mini-Mart is open seven days a week and is located on the north end of campus across from the Indian Mounds.
According to Director of Contracted Auxiliary Services Mark Kraner, the purpose of these stores is to provide a service to the stores’ surrounding neighborhoods by offering customers the opportunity to purchased needed items using Paw Points, TigerCASH and cash.
However, some students feel that some products in these stores are not offered at fair prices.
“The prices in the Mini-Mart are ridiculously expensive,” said Chase Ganier, a political science freshman.
Biological sciences sophomore Karletha Dorsey agrees.
“The prices of the Mini-Mart are way too high, but what’s worse is that the value of Paw Points doesn’t match the dollar value of the items in the stores.”
Kraner is aware of this concern but said the answer to this issue would not be to increase the amount of Paw Points to accommodate the costs of the items in the stores.
“We are aware of the problems associated with the current system, and we are working on lowering the prices to get them closer to the prices in convenience stores like Circle K,” Kraner said.
Many students said they have gotten used to seeing the prices and are no longer surprised at the expense of the products. However, they are confused as to why the prices continue to increase.
“The prices of the campus convenience stores have always been high, but I’m wondering what is responsible for the most recent increase in prices that has occurred,” said Adrianna Bivens, a general studies freshman.
Anthropology sophomore Natalie Whitehead said she thinks the increase in prices is because of “the huge amount of thieving going on by some of the customers, and the stores have to make up the deficit created by increasing prices for everyone.”
Although stealing may be one reason for the increase in prices, Kraner offers up another reason. Prices in the stores are linked to prices at the pump.
“How do our products get to our stores? By trucks. So when gas prices go up, we have to pay for it, which accounts for the increase in prices,” Kraner said.
Another reason prices are higher on campus than at an area convenience store is because campus stores do not offer products such as tobacco, gas and alcohol said Kraner.
“Convenience stores off campus offer these products, and these sources are where they make the majority of their money,” Kraner said .
Jared Yore, a biological sciences sophomore, said that in this case the solution to the rising prices is simple.
“In order to lower prices, on-campus stores should start selling tobacco and alcohol,” said Yore.
Yet the entire concept of convenience is the central issue.
“At on-campus stores you’re being overcharged for convenience,” said Danara Every, a biological sciences senior. “Prices at these stores are higher than ones found at Wal-Mart or Winn-Dixie, and students who don’t have a car are at the greatest disadvantage.”
While it is unrealistic for students to look for prices to decrease to those found at Wal-Mart, Kraner said consumers can be assured that Contracted Auxiliary Services is investigating this problem and exploring different avenues for solutions.