Spring Break
Increased theft in C-store causes price hike
by Gina Gotthilf
News | 4/1/08
Posted online at 1:55 AM EST on 4/1/08
Thefts in the convenience store in Upper Usdan are an ongoing problem, Dining Services Committee member and Senator for the Class of 2010 Jenna Brofsky said.
She said the committee members inquired into this problem after noting rising prices in the C-store. She was told that the debt caused by daily thefts is one of the factors that contribute to price increases. The issue was raised at the March 23 Student Union Senate meeting.
"Things get stolen every day," said Julio Zayas, a full-time employee of the C-store. Years ago, he said, C-store employees "calculated a loss of 200 dollars a day" in stolen items.
Other reasons for why items are overpriced, director of Dining Services Michael Newmark explained during the meeting with Dining Services Committee, include that the C-store acquires items in much smaller quantities than local supermarkets. During the Senate meeting, members of the Dining Services Committee discussed possible solutions to this problem, as well as reasons students steal on a regular basis.
Though a video camera has been installed in the C-store, penalizing students for theft has proven hard. Senator for the Class of 2009 Yuki Hasegawa, a member of the committee and a part-time employee of the C-store said that "by the time the police arrive, the students have fled the scene."
Brofsky said C-store employees are "supposed to get your ID, but usually it's too much of a hassle to track down a student."
Aramark employees who work at the C-store said they find it difficult and hazardous to stop students from stealing. "Once I called a student out and he asked to go outside and fight me," Zayas said. He said he has spoken to students who have stolen on many occasions.
Kathy Macdougall, a cashier at the C-store, said she remembers an incident in the Boulevard when a student grabbed the cashier by the collar because the cashier saw the student steal. "I don't pay to come here, but I'm getting an education! I thought I was street-smart!" said Macdougall.
She said the committee members inquired into this problem after noting rising prices in the C-store. She was told that the debt caused by daily thefts is one of the factors that contribute to price increases. The issue was raised at the March 23 Student Union Senate meeting.
"Things get stolen every day," said Julio Zayas, a full-time employee of the C-store. Years ago, he said, C-store employees "calculated a loss of 200 dollars a day" in stolen items.
Other reasons for why items are overpriced, director of Dining Services Michael Newmark explained during the meeting with Dining Services Committee, include that the C-store acquires items in much smaller quantities than local supermarkets. During the Senate meeting, members of the Dining Services Committee discussed possible solutions to this problem, as well as reasons students steal on a regular basis.
Though a video camera has been installed in the C-store, penalizing students for theft has proven hard. Senator for the Class of 2009 Yuki Hasegawa, a member of the committee and a part-time employee of the C-store said that "by the time the police arrive, the students have fled the scene."
Brofsky said C-store employees are "supposed to get your ID, but usually it's too much of a hassle to track down a student."
Aramark employees who work at the C-store said they find it difficult and hazardous to stop students from stealing. "Once I called a student out and he asked to go outside and fight me," Zayas said. He said he has spoken to students who have stolen on many occasions.
Kathy Macdougall, a cashier at the C-store, said she remembers an incident in the Boulevard when a student grabbed the cashier by the collar because the cashier saw the student steal. "I don't pay to come here, but I'm getting an education! I thought I was street-smart!" said Macdougall.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Lev
posted 4/01/08 @ 12:45 PM EST
I don't steal from the dining halls (except maybe an occasional apple or cookie to go from Sherman), but I understand why people commit theft.
I think the biggest complaint I hear about Brandeis, even ahead of complaints about the social life, is the meal plans. (Continued…)
Lev
posted 4/01/08 @ 1:03 PM EST
Not to mention, the Brandeis dining website clearly states that the meal-plan comes with five guest meals per semester. Yet this semester I was only allocated three. (Continued…)
jehuda
posted 4/01/08 @ 5:53 PM EST
this is a cycle. students steal because of the ridiculous prices. ridiculous prices go up, even more stealing will probably occur. and there's no real worry for students who live off campus or in places without a meal plan to get penalized with points. (Continued…)
Thomas Quasthoff
posted 4/02/08 @ 10:29 PM EST
I don't believe that '$200 a day' figure for a second. those bums at Aramark are just greedy.
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