The Communique

Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Bevan Lucas

Media Credit: Chase Becicka Kirkwood Community College students wait in line at the C-Store to get smoothies between classes.

Students who frequent the Kirkwood Community College C-Store are shelling out a little more cash than usual for in-between class treats.

The C-Store has implemented a 25 cent raise on all Starbucks Coffee and Freshens Smoothies. The raise, which took place when students returned from holiday break, was not one of choice for the C-Store managers.

"It's just basic business," Lee Vasquez, director of Auxiliary Services said. "[Raising prices] is always a last resort."

Both Starbucks and Freshens increased their prices for providing Kirkwood with coffee and smoothie supplies, which left Kirkwood no choice but to raise the prices in order to stay in business.

"If you don't make a change like this, you may end up shutting the doors," Vasquez said.

While students may understand why the C-Store had to increase prices, it doesn't make it any easier on their pocketbooks.

"Twenty-five cents is a lot," Christy Ainesworth, human services major, said. "That's a big jump. We're already poor college students."

Like other colleges and universities, the University of Northern Iowa also sells Freshen's Smoothies on campus. For the same size, the smoothies cost $4 compared to Kirkwood's now $3.25. Vasquez noted that the Kirkwood C-Store uses fresh fruit in their smoothies, which some schools do not.

When asked about the possibility of supply prices rising again, Vasquez said that he hopes it won't happen but if it does, he does not plan on raising the student prices again.

"We realize who our customers are," Vasquez said.

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