Questionable Quality

Found on the premises of Johnson-McFarlane and Centennial Halls are what are supposed to be “convenience” stores. These convenience stores make their business off of college freshmen. They have food, drinks, toiletries, paper plates, and plastic silverware on stock. However, the quality of some of the products that they serve can be questionable. On a day-to-day basis these students rely upon the convenience store’s services to help them survive through the day.

Many products that are used by college students more frequently are electronic and most may require batteries of some sort in order to power them. If one of these electronic device’s power was to die out, the convenience stores do not even sell batteries, they would have to find a way to acquire new batteries. Especially with college students, some places that these items could be sold have the possibility of not being within walking distances. Therefore students would be forced to find an alternative mode of transportation. Seems a bit much for just a set of batteries.

For the past few years, there have been a lot of advocations for introducing healthier foods into schools. First Lady Michelle Obama has implemented the foundation “Let’s Move.” What she is striving to achieve with this foundation is for obesity to be conquered and to bring up a healthier generation of children for the United States. Not only is she striving to change the healthy habits of school cafeterias, but also “Let’s Move” tries to ensure that children eat healthier food at home and in their free time. If children learn healthy eating habits on their own, they would have more chance of making healthy choices when they are independent adults in college.

Recently, the “c-store” has begun selling granola energy bars, sandwiches, salads, and even sushi. For the most part the entire c-store is mainly junk food. Although some junk food is acceptable, some healthier foods can be incorporated into the c-store’s supply stock. Products such as granola bars, yogurt, and some organic foods could be tested out on the shelves to test their demand.

One item in particular that has had many complaints lodged against is the milk products. In the c-stores of both Johnson-McFarlane and Centennial Halls, they sell half gallons of whole, reduced fat, and nonfat milk. Like all other perishable food items, the milk gallons have expiration dates recorded to ensure consumption before the milk goes bad. Many residential hall students have found that these expirations dates are bogus. Within the week of expiring, the milk can have already produced chunks of moldy milk.
If the University of Denver is going to provide services that the students thrive one, there may as well be the quality that is expected. Since students cannot count on prices being low for many of these items, they have to be able to depend on the quality of the products that they wish to purchase. Students pay a large fee in order to attend courses at this university, however it seems that they are cheated out in ways they should not be. If students are paying for a quality education they should at least have quality food in return.