My first year could be defined by the tireless nights I spent in the Science Library. Having yet to develop any time management skills, I would frequently be there until close, falling asleep over my books and writing papers that were barely coherent due to exhaustion. That was, until I discovered the coffee vending machine.
A hidden gem nestled between the regular vending machine and the wall, the Science Center coffee machine was my favorite source of caffeine on campus. It had a variety of customization options for size, creamer, and sweetness, making the diversity of flavors rival even Azariah’s Café. For people who are less inclined towards caffeine, it even offered a hot chocolate option. I marveled at how all you had to do was insert a dollar; you read that right, just one singular dollar, and the machine made the cup for you in front of your eyes.
This year, when I returned, I was devastated when the machine had eaten my dollar and produced nothing. My beloved coffee machine was no longer in service. Losing such a staple is a tragedy for those of us who need multiple coffees a day. If the college cares about its students, it should do all it can to fix it.
As someone who lives on North Campus and eats in Oberlin Student Cooperative Association (OSCA), the coffee machine provides a niche but necessary service. It would be so convenient for me if I had a coffee option between my dorm and my classes that would not add any time to my rushed walk. Even if I did ask a friend to order me Azzie’s or DeCafé coffee, the walk to and from Mudd Center or Wilder Hall could be the difference between being on time or late to a class.
Although I love to indulge in Slow Train coffee every once in a while, drinking $5-6 coffee every day is a luxury I cannot afford on Oberlin’s minimum wage. Although the coffee machine did cost real money, it being a fraction of the price of Slow Train coffee made a huge difference in my bank account balance.
Even those who are not in OSCA would still benefit from the coffee machine being fixed. Although DeCafé is an option, it’s not always the ideal one.
“Sometimes it’s really rainy outside,” College second-year Ella Koprivica said. “Sometimes you don’t want to go to DeCafé if you’re really locked in. There’s a machine right there, and it’s very convenient.”
She also pointed out that even if you have meal swipes, they are limited to a maximum of seven a day on the highest meal plan, and as the semester comes to an end, they may even run out altogether.
“Not everyone wants to use a meal swipe. Instead of an entire meal, they can get it for just a dollar.”
Fixing the coffee machines would also have huge benefits for members of OSCA who have been supplying coffee for their co-op on their own dime.
“I’m in Harkness [House] and in this co-op we have a coffee club,” College third-year Lilly Dodson said. “Everybody who wants to be a part of it pitches in some of their own money.”
However, not every co-op is large enough to have crowd-funded coffee.
“What me and another friend have done is that we have invested $200 of our own personal money into making coffee for Tank every morning so that we have access to it,” College second-year Maggie Ellis said. “That is a lot of our own money to spend. It would be super cool if there was an affordable option such as the Science Center vending machine. [If] that was fixed, the issue could be mitigated.”
The coffee machine also has more than just practical advantages.
“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful, no exaggerations,” College third-year Audie Wilson said. “It makes me feel connected to an analog age as well.”
Many people would benefit from having just one extra cheap and easy way to get coffee. That way is the Science Center coffee vending machine. If the College were to repair it, it would make so many people’s lives better.
