They always say that “bigger is better” and “newer is nicer” in the great scheme of things. However, regarding the closing of Spike’s C-Store for Drake University’s new DRAKE On the Go store, this doesn’t seem to be the case.
Throughout my first semester at Drake, the C-Store has become more and more of a quiet staple. It’s always there and, for the most part, open whenever you need it. You can use it as a quick snack, a means to fill time in between class breaks, or a quick pick-me-up in a heated game of pool. Whatever the case may be, the C-Store was there.
It was conveniently located right below Hubbell Dining Hall, so one could bring back snacks to the dorm or finish their meal with a drink or a small sweet treat without pushing through the crowd of students above.
I’m not saying we should mourn the loss of our beloved C-Store, but its replacement doesn’t seem to offer much of the luxury that it was branded as having. Is it shiny and new? Yes. Is there a small convenience with the On the Go being placed next to Starbucks? Sure. Does this make it better? I would say hardly. Efficiency and the described “ease” of the store are prioritized at the expense of security and convenience.
One would argue that there was more “ease” with the C-Store in terms of payment from the single tap of an ID card, whether physical or digital. You have an idea of how much you owe, you pay at the small kiosk and the charge gets processed almost immediately without needing a second more of your thoughts or time. It’s simple, it’s fast, and most importantly, it gets the job done.
With the new Drake convenience store, this is not the case. Posted outside the entry gates are instructions on how to set up the account: downloading the Everyday by Sodexo app, logging into a Drake account and providing a valid card of some kind as backup payment in case dining dollars are not enough. That secondary payment “option” and the automatic $10 charge that comes with it is where I, and most other students that I’ve talked to, have a problem.
Needing that backup payment plan makes sense to ensure that every item is paid for, especially since the only thing monitoring you is security cameras and a computer program. I’m not denying that. Nevertheless, this doesn’t suddenly make the back-up payment any easier.
Having that charge to my card after every swipe, despite knowing that the system is still processing and the funds will eventually be reimbursed, is still slightly concerning. Considering the fact that people are still forced to test the waters of the new system, a charge, no matter the size, isn’t the most reassuring aspect of the transaction.
On the topic of finances, On the Go is ridding Hubbell workers and students of the opportunity for a job. Without fail, when the C-Store was open, there was someone there to monitor and check you out after each trip.
Although the pay was likely consistent with most monitoring jobs on campus, it was still paid work. Employees and student employees alike no longer have this opportunity for extra pay, as all those hours are being given to digital computer programming instead of an individual’s income.
All in all, there are benefits to the new On the Go, as it is a slightly bigger store and offers a few more goods to snatch between classes that I don’t mean to discredit. However, the construction time, the financial aspects and the forced switch to the new store seem to cause more frustration than relief.
As a result of this, the new store takes way more energy than the C-Store used to be. There is the possibility that all these kinks and inconveniences will work themselves out with time, but overall, the efficiency of the new store seems to be a forced experience rather than a genuine consideration of student convenience.
Personally, I will use On the Go as an ultimate last resort when I am in need. If the old way isn’t broken, why feel the need to “fix” it?
