Controversial Bunche vending machines to remain; many graduate students pleased

The fate of the controversial vending kiosk in front of Bunche
Hall has been decided: it is staying, said Executive Vice
Chancellor Daniel Neuman.

Most graduate students are happy about the decision, while some
faculty members are still angry that the kiosk was installed in the
first place without their consultation.

Neuman said he would create regional space-planning committees
to avoid similar controversy in the future, implementing a
recommendation of the recently completed Competitiveness Task Force
report.

The $75,000 kiosk provoked complaints by faculty who said it
ruined the aesthetics of the courtyard. It was installed over
summer 2002 at the request of graduate students who felt it was
unsafe to walk to the LuValle Commons or North Campus vending areas
at nighttime.

Removal of the kiosk would have cost upwards of $25,000, turning
the entire situation into a $100,000 enterprise.

Josh Sternfeld, a history graduate student, said he is happy the
kiosk will remain where it is.

Although Sternfeld said he did not initially think the kiosk was
necessary, he and his fellow students use it frequently and enjoy
its convenience.

Sternfeld added that given the current funding issues facing the
history department and others, graduate students would have
objected to spending additional funds to remove the kiosk.

“To hear that they were going to expend an extra $25,000
to tear it down would have had an impact on graduate student
morale,” Sternfeld said.

First-year architecture students Dai Kaiama and Tsungkang Wu
said the kiosk has become a gathering place and is helpful for
students who need coffee to stay up late.

Wu said he likes the kiosk for convenience’s sake rather
than safety.

“I think the campus is very safe. I think this
doesn’t relate to safety issues. If it’s dangerous
there, it’s dangerous here,” he said.

Kaiama said he disagreed with the aesthetic issue.

“We’re architecture students, and we don’t
think it blocks the view,” he said.

Political theory Professor Kirstie McClure said many faculty
members working in Bunche were unhappy with the appearance of the
kiosk.

“Walking into Bunche Hall is not necessarily an aesthetic
experience, but at least walking out of it used to be
pleasant,” she said.

McClure was opposed to the installation of the vending kiosk
because she deemed it superfluous given the cost to the university
and the proximity of other vending kiosks.

She would not comment on whether the kiosk should have been
removed, and would only comment on the decision-making process.

George Murphy, professor emeritus of economics, opposed plans to
remove the vending kiosk and is content with the final
decision.

Murphy said the vending kiosk is sensible because of the
security risk of walking to the farther ones at night, but that
faculty should have been advised before the kiosk’s
installation.

“Faculty should be consulted about major changes in
environment, because faculty are more than just hired help,”
he said. “They love this university.”

Murphy said he found the controversy surrounding the kiosk
refreshing.

“It (indicates) how fond people are of this institution.
It’s great that they’re willing to input their time
into maintaining their vision of what UCLA is,” he said.

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