A work session held Friday to discuss the future of the
controversial vending machine kiosk in front of Bunche Hall turned
up several possible solutions to the ongoing debate.
Faculty, staff, representatives from the Chancellor’s
office and two graduate student representatives were among about 20
people called to discuss alternatives to the course of action
presently decided by Executive Vice Chancellor Daniel Neuman.
Corey Hollis, graduate student representative for the history
department, said the meeting produced three main proposals, all of
which entailed spending additional money on the issue.
“Doing nothing is apparently not an option; money will be
spent, either to remove the vending machines or to alleviate
aesthetic objections,” Hollis said.
Last month, Neuman acceded to appeals made by faculty members to
have the kiosk removed, based on complaints that the structure
ruined the aesthetics of the plaza area.
The machines had initially been installed over the summer
following requests by graduate students who felt it was unsafe to
walk to the nearby LuValle Commons or North Campus vending
areas.
Hollis said the current plan is to remove the vending machines
but to leave the kiosk in place with its rear wall removed,
enabling those exiting the Bunche Hall elevators to view Perloff
Hall through the framework.
One possible alternative would be to place a hedge between the
elevators and the kiosk, thus concealing the machines and providing
some view of greenery to one exiting the elevator.
“That would probably be the cheapest alternative,”
Hollis said. “But it would probably negate the safety issue
by hiding the machines, not to mention it cluttering up the front
area.”
Another possibility would be to move the machines to a niche at
the bottom of the Palms Court stairwell, but participants deemed
that this would ruin the economic viability of the kiosk.
Hollis said a vending services representative present at the
meeting stated that the Bunche Vending Kiosk generated
approximately $8,000 in gross revenue per month, making it the
fourth highest vending earner on campus.
Moving the machines to the bottom of a dark stairwell would not
only decrease the profit made from machines but would also
invalidate the safety purpose of the kiosk.
A final option would be to build two U-shaped kiosks facing each
other in front of the Palms court stairwell, Hollis said, in
essence shifting the machines a few feet to the side of where they
currently lie.
This would mean further money and time spent on
construction.
“At first, the general consensus was that people were in
favor of this solution,” she said. “Then we discovered
it would probably cost $80,000 to complete.”
For both proposals involving a shift of machines, the current
kiosk would remain standing without its rear wall, probably to be
used as a frame for vines.
All staff who attended the meeting were tight-lipped about what
occurred.
Staff spokesperson and media relations adviser Max Benavidez
said the session was part of an ongoing discussion between the
parties involved which would culminate with a final decision to be
made by Neuman at the appropriate time.
But other students who found out about the meeting were quick to
voice their concerns.
“(The machines) should be left as they are,” said
Christopher Bates, president of the History Graduate Students
Association, and MIS manager for the Daily Bruin. “I
don’t see the need to waste more money when the reasons for
which they were installed are valid.”
Hollis said social sciences dean Scott Waugh left the meeting
with the understanding that he would reconsider the solutions and
possibly present them to Neuman, who was not at the meeting.
Fiona Galvin, president of the social sciences council, was
disappointed by the fact that the kiosk could not be left as it
stands.
“It’s a shame that no matter what something has to
happen to the kiosk, and that Dean Waugh isn’t in a position
to change the executive vice chancellor’s mind,” she
said.
If the EVC decides to reconsider, a public meeting will be held
for all concerned to voice their opinions.
But if Neuman refuses, then UCLA will be left with an arch-like
monument in front of Bunche to commemorate the controversy.
“Presumably, the machines would get torn down and we will
end up with a brick shelter,” Hollis said.