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November 8, 2001

Vending regulations under review

Last month the University shut down all on-campus vendors, pending a review of its vending regulations. For more than two decades, Pitt has allowed an eclectic mix of on-campus vendors who paid a daily fee to set up tables near the William Pitt Union.

At a Nov. 2 press conference, Robert Hill, executive director of Public Affairs, announced the formation of a committee to tighten up University-mandated rules for on-campus vendors.

Hill said the committee would shore up a heretofore slipshod approval process, guard the University against potential liability, protect University corporate contracts, authorize goods specifically geared to students, help ensure product reliability and make the designated vendor area more attractive.

Associate Vice Chancellor for Business Eli Shorak will head the committee of representatives from the Provost's office, business services and Student Affairs. Student Government Board President Jeff Alex also was named to the committee.

Hill said "selected vendors will be permitted to return to campus and sell goods and services pursuant to new guidelines." The new regulations probably will limit the number of vendors as well, he said. The new rules could be in effect as early as Thanksgiving, Hill said.

Up until Oct. 31, vendors were issued daily permits on a two-tier fee system: $50 per day for individuals and $100 per day for those representing companies, such as cell phone distributors. But Hill said the process was "not orderly," and that there were "no standards for [approving] who may vend."

The money from vendor licensing fees will continue to support student activities, Hill said.

Hill said the University had been considering changes in its policy for several months, but because of a July 1 change in leadership in Student Affairs and concerns over security and safety on campus in the wake of Sept. 11 events, the issue was put on the back burner. He said that since the University had issued no permits after Oct. 31, the time was ripe to establish and implement new policies.

According to Hill, the new vending principles will include:

* Vendors will comply with requirements for appropriate insurance coverage and licenses;

* Vendor activity will not conflict with Pitt's contracts with suppliers of products and services;

* Vending will be conducted in an attractive physical milieu;

* Merchandise will meet minimum standards of quality;

* Vendors will offer products and services that are of express interest to students, and

* The benefit to the Pitt community must be maximized.

Jerome Cochran, executive vice chancellor, told reporters Nov. 1 that the retailers expected to be housed on the ground floor of the Multi-Purpose Academic Complex (MPAC) were not a factor in the University's decision to re-evaluate its on-campus vendor policies.

As reported in the Oct. 11 University Times, MPAC, the nearly completed six-story academic building across South Bouquet Street from the Law Building, will be the likely home of Guacamole, a clothing and accessory store catering to women in the 18 to 25 age group, and Panera, a chain of baked goods and sandwiches stores. Cochran confirmed that the University is close to finalizing deals with the two companies.

He said that the City Planning Commission approved the MPAC project under the condition that Pitt lease the ground floor space to retailers that would stimulate the Oakland business district's economy.

But Pitt is not likely to mix business with its academic mission very often, Cochran said. No plans are underway to lease commercial space in classroom buildings, he said.

–Peter Hart

Filed under: Feature,Volume 34 Issue 6

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