A Tasti alternative

This January, students returned from winter break to find that the Tasti D-Lite kiosk in Lerner Hall had closed. Since then, Columbia Housing and Dining has chosen not to open a new venue in its place. An unused space is a wasted space, and the fourth floor of Lerner provides a valuable opportunity for students to expand their entrepreneurial spirits—and resumes—by establishing student-operated businesses where Tasti D-Lite once stood.

Tasti D-Lite has been a valuable component of the Columbia community for years, but the arrival of Pinkberry in the summer of 2007 and the economic downturn earlier this year lessened the frozen dessert kiosk’s success. The kiosk’s manager made the unilateral decision to sell its final frozen desserts in late January, and many students were disappointed that the cold treats were no longer a part of campus. Although rumors have circulated about the possibility of a Jamba Juice or Chik-fil-A opening up in Tasti D-Lite’s stead, there are currently no plans to set up another venue in the newly vacated space. Housing and Dining has cited the fact that the location lacks running water and drainage and provides more room for students to study as reasons for leaving the space unoccupied. However, the University could put the space to more creative use—as a place for student business to grow. Though the lack of drainage and water may hinder some venues, many will see the space as an attractive business opportunity.

The University should allot this empty corner of Lerner’s fourth floor to students who wish to solidify their entrepreneurial pursuits. Students studying business management or economics are likely to be attracted to the space if it is marketed to them. The chance to establish their own venues on Lerner’s fourth floor will surely serve as invaluable educational and professional opportunities for them to apply their business skills. Professors teaching economics or business courses could also capitalize on the space by planning projects that incorporate the extra dimension of planning a business where Tasti D-Lite’s kiosk once stood. Finally, student organizations could use the extra space to run their businesses. CU Snacks shut down last fall due to space constraints, and existing campus businesses would surely benefit from the ability to expand.

No matter what course of action Housing and Dining chooses to take, the space should not remain unused and empty, and students must ultimately be the benefactors. Their education and entrepreneurial spirit, rather than the convenience of the University, should be considered above all else.