Want Different Snacks in the SUB? Just ask!

Here at the Exponent, our editors often rely on the SUB for sustenance as we produce the paper. We can unfailingly be found in the Bookstore grabbing a little treat before our Monday meetings or crowded around the vending machines like ravenous vampires late on Wednesday nights. I always go for Hot Cheetos and Diet Coke — but in truth, the snacks I dream of are never available. Sure, I could go to Chick-fil-A to get a real meal or the SRO for some pre-packaged salad, but I’m talking about stress-relieving, munchable snacks here. The MSU Bookstore does its best to give the people what they want and the vending machines are alright, but I know we can do better. Students and faculty, we must rally for better snacks in the SUB.

Since I think about snacks so often, I took to the hallways of the SUB to gauge what others feel. I polled 40people — from students to faculty and KGLT staff — and found that while people are satisfied overall with what the vending machines and the Bookstore offer, some yearn for different snacks.

Of the 40 people I interviewed, 17 said they were satisfied, but many added that there are snacks they wish were available that aren’t. Five were dissatisfied either because of the selection or the cost. 18 said they didn’t care because they bring their own snacks or eat at the cafeteria, but many added that they would spend money on snacks if specific ones were available or if the options were cheaper.

“I wish they had those pickles in the pocket things,” English student Cassidy Sewak said.

“Maybe pre-made sandwiches or fresh fruit or salad kits,” said marketing student Megan Matteoli.

Some who’ve been on campus for years said they miss the snacks of days past. I stopped into KGLT to ask how they felt, and both General Manager Craig Clark and Music Director Jim Kehoe raved about how good the snacks used to be. They both said they particularly miss the popcorn machine where Firehouse Subs is now. “I miss the old cafeteria and the sweet shop,” Clark said.

“The snacks used to be a lot better,” Kehoe said.

Some students I spoke to just wished the snacks were more affordable. 

“I used to eat more snacks but they’re expensive. I mean, they’re vending machines, so of course they’re gonna be expensive, but it’s $2 for a little bag of Cheez-Its,” film and photography student Jonah Fiedler said.

“They’re expensive, but they’re good,” said computer science student Wade Fortson.

Fellow snack-lovers: If we unite, we can change this. We can indeed have the snacks we want, and at least sometimes at the prices we want. The people who run the snack game in the SUB are listening — all we have to do is reach out.

I spoke to Bethany York, head cashier and head of customer service at the MSU Bookstore. She’s in charge of ordering the snacks that the Bookstore offers, and she said she welcomes and appreciates requests. 

“It's as easy as somebody telling me that there's a need for it, or a want if it's not a need, and then I can order it on the next order if they have it. So it's as simple as that,” York said. For example, she recently added birthday candles because one person requested it, and she often adds new items like Nerds Ropes or air freshener. 

As far as the cost of snacks go, there’s not much anyone can do to change the base price. “That's something more that the higher up people decide, and as well as the vendor — we have a price that we have to pay them. And then we also have to make money, obviously, so we have to mark it up a certain amount,” York said. However, she explained that the Bookstore is trying to think of new ways to save students money on snacks. “I have spoken to a couple people on trying to do some sales to lower the price if you buy two of a certain thing, just to make it kind of a little more cost-effective for everybody.”

If we speak up, we can get the snacks we want and make sure these sales happen. Personally, I would kill for some Vintage Cola Olipops and Screamin’ Hot Veggie Straws. 

If there’s a specific snack you want, stop by the Bookstore or email York at bethany.york@montana.edu. 

If you want to see a change in the vending machine options, call (406)994-2273.