FM Assist has confirmed a slate of new retailers on campus, including Subway and Boost Juice.
Previously, at the Student Leaders’ Morning Tea, attended by Chancellery officials, Vice-President of University, ServicesNeil Morris promised cheaper and healthier options were to be written into all new retailing contracts.
However, Tharunka has now learnt that the University has reneged on that promise, and will no longer be asking retailers to offer at least one cheaper option.
Morris told Tharunka the University was going to require new providers to have lower cost items available, and there should be no compromise on fresh alternatives in the lower cost option.
“Offering a bucket of chips as their low cost item wouldn’t be what we had in mind,” he said.
However, he reiterated the University’s position that food providers could not be forced to lower prices. The University said their position was constrained by trade practices that prohibited the regulation of pricing.
While the full plan for retail services has not been released, Steven Tropoulos, Property Services Manager, confirmed a Subway, Boost Juice and a National Newsagency were to open in the Morven Brown/CLB precinct.
The current Arc store in the Quad will be replaced by another National Newsagency, while an IGA supermarket will open in the new Gate 2 accommodation and retail complex.
Tropoulos said the University could only be encouraged to include cheaper options in their selection.
SRC President Tim Kaliyanda said he was disappointed the University had reneged on its commitment earlier this year to address food affordability on campus.
“Students took them at their word, and have now seen that goodwill dissipate.”
Ed Kearney, President of the Postgraduate Council, said he felt the injection of competition and variety in retail would improve affordability and quality of food on campus.
Nicholas Sauer
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