Imagine sitting in a lecture class for three hours, listening to stomachs rumbling with hunger. Finally, the professor ends class and everyone runs out to the hall, student IDs in hand. They swipe their card and wait. And keep waiting. They try to get a drink. They watch as the machine picks up their drink and drops it to the bottom out of reach, along with the hopes and dreams of a quick hunger fix.
This constant battle with vending machines is what University of Memphis students face on a daily basis. With only 15-minute breaks between classes and numerous vending machines in each building, it should be easy to grab a snack or drink. Even though students lose money to the machines, many do not call Auxiliary Services to complain or get a refund.
Sandy Barksdale, Director of Auxiliary Services, said they have not received any complaints recently regarding vending machines.
“We’re the group who could actually do something,” Barksdale said. “It’s what we are here for.”
The number to call is 901-678-5234, but students like Lindsey Warren, 22, said he never cared enough to call and get a refund.
“The new machines in Manning that take cards take a long time,” Warren, a computer science senior from Collierville, Tennessee, said. “After you swipe, it says approving and stays stuck like that from two to five minutes. It’s not the biggest deal, but it’s frustrating when it’s in between classes.”
Some students that use the vending machines in Clement Hall notice that no matter what they buy, their card is charged two dollars.
Tim Doan, 21, computer science senior from Richmond, Virginia said he has not used a vending machine since last semester.
“One time I was getting a drink in Jones and I purchased the drink and as it was coming out, it got stuck against the glass,” Doan said. “I lost my money, didn’t get a drink and didn’t get an option to get another one.”
Cierra Riley, 19, communications freshman from Memphis said she has issues with the drink machines that bring the drinks to the side.
“The ones in Rawls and Smith pick your drink up and then drop it in the bottom of the machine,” Riley said. “So there’s like 15 drinks stuck in the bottom. I’ve tried all three of the vending machines in these building and they all do it.”
Another student who has issues with the drink machines is Tyia Lee, 18, a freshman teaching major from Dyersburg, Tennessee.
“I used one in the Psychology Building and I kept pressing the button for the drink I wanted, but it never came out” Lee said. “I just left and went to class.”
Some vending machines are not all bad though. Ethan Colin, 19, a mechanical engineering sophomore said a vending machine “stole” his coffee, but then he obtained an extra pack of Skittles soon after.
“It was like order had been restored and I was repaid the debt I was owed,” Colin, a Manhattan, Kansas native said.
Kenneth Crawford, 19, mechanical engineering sophomore from Bartlett, Tennessee said he knew someone who received quarters from a machine without swiping their card.
“Nothing like that has happened to me, but I’m hopeful,” Crawford said.
Lauren Angelillo, 18-year-old music education major, buys a snack from the vending machines in Rawls Hall. The machines in that building were repaired on Tuesday but have been notorious for taking students’ money without giving food in the past.
