Pavilion success relies on students, machines
While construction on the Brochstein Pavilion is steadily progressing — currently at the dust pit stage — plans for what will be inside the Pavilion are still not yet concrete. The blueprints are not overly complex: It is essentially a big glass box with couches, restrooms and a food kiosk. But the kiosk, which will draw students campus-wide with its alluring late-night food and beverages, should be the diamond in that big glass box. A successful pavilion will rely on a successful kiosk, which will require two key qualities: 24-hour service and a student vibe. And these two qualities can come together in one easy package with student employment.
Admittedly, a 24-hour food kiosk would be economically difficult — only a few people seek food in the wee hours of the morning, and even fewer want to work. However, Rice students, well known for keeping odd hours, would be the perfect candidates to run a late-night kiosk. And as Coffeehouse has proven, everyone loves student-run institutions (see graph, page _).
13th Street has tried to hire students, but faced trouble because food preparation requires significant training and long, constant hours, both of which students are understandably reluctant to embrace given their cramped schedules. On the flip side, Coffeehouse hours and duties are more flexible. The new kiosk should lean more towards the Coffeehouse model, with pre-made sandwiches and snacks, and would benefit hugely from student employees. The kiosk could even have a partnership with Coffeehouse to give it a true student-run aura.
However, even if a student-run kiosk can not fulfill 24-hour fantasies, the Pavilion should contain refrigerated vending machines. These vending machines could offer microwavable meals and frozen treats at any hour, while a coffee vending machine would satisfy those late-night caffeine needs. These sorts of machines are not a pipe dream — there are already plans to install one in the essentially-ignored underground 24-hour access area of the Rice Memorial Center. Hopefully, Rice can bring these delicious devices out of the dark and into the big glass box.
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