A Matter of Convenience

The opening of a convenience store in Gallagher Student Center should come as a delight to all students at Xavier. Yes, some were devastated that the
beloved FliX had to close its doors. But now, instead of making the long trip to a local UDF or the Norwood Kroger, students can take a brisk walk across
campus for the basic necessities of college life.
The grocery items offered at the store seem practical for almost all Xavier students, and it will be great to have an option other than a vending machine for
a quick late night snack. More importantly, the store will provide several needed jobs for students on campus. Once again Follett, Xavier University Dining
Services and the administration should be praised for giving students applicable business practice. The management positions that will be created by the store
will provide several students with the opportunity to manage a business-a scenario that is very hard to create. Follet should be praised for the enthusiasm
they have showed and for providing student management opportunities. However, the question must be raised concerning how much autonomy these student
managers will have. Will they have the power to hire, make pricing decisions and other business decisions, or will they simply be puppets that are ultimately
controlled by the powers of Follet? If the latter is true, it is hard to see the store providing that much of a benefit to the student managers. Not only would the
value of managerial job experience be severely watered down, but all students would struggle to find value in the store. Rather than a personable experience
with a fellow student in a legitimate student-run store, the convenience store would have a colder, more rigid feel to it. It would simply be a place to buy milk
for your cereal, and not a place to see a friend's career goal come alive.
If you glance at the current selection of staples the bookstore has to offer, one might also wonder if they can take out a loan to pay for their razor and shaving
cream. Although, the bookstore doesn't exist to sell toiletries and food staples, the convenience store will. Hopefully, reasonable prices and an eager staff
will make for a solid foundation that will lead the way for another successful student-run business. If not, it will turn into nothing more but a glorified cash
cow for Follet, and Xavier students will be left with an overpriced and useless store that would be as desirable as a video store that sells VHS tapes today.