INSTAMARKET IS WATCHING YOU...

By Lola Brown

Students have limited dining options on campus, so they take those choices very seriously. Throughout the years, Barry has cycled through different food chains to find what works best for its students, and these last two years have seen the introductions of Jimmy Johns and InstaMarket.

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While there have always been vending machines across campus, InstaMarket provides more snacks and refrigerated drinks. They also come with the addition of selling quick lunches or snacks you can warm up, like bao buns, pretzels and potstickers. Students can use self-checkout so they can quickly get what they want and go, especially during rush hours where everyone is trying to get to a microwave or beat crowds of fellow students to the dining hall. Barry has introduced two InstaMarkets: one in Weigand, and one in Thompson. While intended to be another convenience for students on the go, it has big shoes to fill. Before InstaMarket, Weigand Hall had a café that used to sell Latin-American pastries and coffee much like the Union Market. Thompson used to have one like it as well, but where Weigand’s differs is that it also has healthy options for students on the go. Students could have fresh sandwiches or salads for a cheaper price there than at the other food chains on campus.

The change is felt differently across campus, leaving some students struggling to adapt.

“I prefer the previous option over the InstaMarket and enjoyed it,” Ainsley Vanderhyde, a marine biology student on her fourth year at Barry, said “No, because it is all junk food with no protein or actual nutritional value. Not only that, but the hot food vending machine doesn't hold many meals and is constantly empty. Provide snacks that have nutritional value and aren't just junk food. It is hard to rely on the InstaMarket 'cause it's the same option without any fresh food. I prefer having options that are actual meals such as the empanadas from Union or a sandwich from Dunkin' or Jimmy Johns.”

Students at Barry might dislike the change but it is important for students to have accessible food at multiple buildings spread out throughout campus. When students have short class breaks the InstaMarkets give quick solutions to student’s hunger.

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Students previously received an email from Dean of Students Mathew Cameron about ongoing thefts at these new InstaMarket locations. The email stated that Barry does not condone this behavior. The email ended with Cameron asserting that values are expected from Barry students.

Cameron clarified the school's standards toward theft to the Buccaneer.

“Ongoing thefts occurring at various InstaMarket locations and dining venues across campus. Let me be clear: theft is a serious violation of our community standards, and there is zero tolerance for this behavior at Barry University,” Cameron stated.

By students' accounts, there have been previous instances of theft on Barry campuses. Students report of a time where an individual broke open a vending machine to steal its contents, prompting Barry to strengthen security. According to Cameron, Barry has since implemented a monitoring system in the dining areas to hold students accountable for their actions

“All retail and dining venues on campus are monitored by surveillance cameras. We are actively reviewing footage and working to identify individuals involved in these incidents," said Cameron. "Any student found responsible will be subject to disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct and may also face criminal prosecution.”

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The installation of InstaMarket is a display of Barry University’s attempt to offer a variety of dining options dispersed across campus. Students appreciate the convenience of the new locations, though others miss the previous options.

Overall, the success of InstaMarket depends on how students decide to satiate their hunger while cameras are watching them.