Concerns Arise Over Fort Awesome Vending Machines

By Tia Porter

The vending machine in Fort Awesome sits empty after being broken into (Photo by Tia Porter)

A snack vending machine in Fort Awesome was broken into on Monday night. Snacks were taken, but no physical damage was caused to the vending machines or to the hallway itself. The incident resulted in the remaining snacks being removed and the vending machine being left empty until Wednesday morning.  

"I heard that somebody broke into the vending machines and stole a lot of items," said Olivia Gietman, a sophomore double-majoring in anthropology and environmental studies who lives in Fort Awesome, "and since then, I don't know if this is related or unrelated, but the vending machines have not worked." 

Residence coordinator Avery Holland declined to comment on the state of the vending machines or the items that were taken. 

The vending machine that was broken into was restocked with new options on Wednesday morning, but until then, residents were left with few options within the building. 

"I came down hoping to get some Takis," said Anya Harvey, a sophomore dance major who lives in Fort Awesome. "Obviously, there are other places on this campus to get snacks, but I don't want to walk all the way to the market at 2 a.m." 

Harvey, who lives in Fort Awesome, has experienced issues in the past with faulty vending machines on campus, including those in her dorm building. In some cases, the machines would either not accept payment or refuse to dispense snacks. 

Another sophomore living in Fort Awesome noticed the empty vending machine while looking for a midnight snack. 

"Sometimes I do study late," said Sariah Navarro, a sophomore psychology major, "and I need something to snack on. All of the vending machines in other buildings are locked. The Hub is closed. Starbucks is closed. The dining hall is definitely closed. There's no place on campus that stays open 24/7 for me to have snacks when I need it." 

Navarro often relies on vending machines during her late-night study sessions or whenever she gets back from working a night shift at the Stood. She added that there are times when she or others are unable to get anything from the vending machines at all.  

"It's very inconvenient and frustrating," Navarro said.  "I've seen two girls get really frustrated with the machine, because they wanted to get something to drink and had no access to it because the vending machines did not work. It literally was not going to give it up. It was like, you don't really want this, but you can pay me for wanting it."