I turned a corner as I was walking to my science class one day, and there I saw it: the brand new, shiny, first of its kind at Skyline tortilla chip vending machine. Mesmerized by its hip multi-colored design and gentle hum, I reached for my wallet, pulled out random bills, and with a soft, caveman-like grunt, groped for the shiny orange buttons which would dispense the delectable goods.
     OK, I’ll admit, it didn’t really happen that way at all. Actually, I saw the machine, realized how unappealing chips sounded to my still half asleep tummy and walked on. Still, though, many students find themselves yearning for something quick and tasty to snack on between classes, and enjoy the convenient locations of the chip machines.
     Skyline isn’t that big, but most college students are lazy, or simply don’t have a lot of time between classes to run to the cafeteria and grab a more healthy snack option. And here’s a little secret…the soda and chip companies know this already.
     So those gleaming new chip vending machines, all the new soda machines, and that funky little Pepsi kiosk (soon to be followed by several more of its brethren) didn’t just appear by random chance. As much as we would like to believe it, no-these tasty, yet unhealthy treats didn’t just fall from the sky in one of our infamous Skyline fogs.
     The truth is, the district signed contracts with both Pepsi Inc. for the soda, and Action Vending, which supplies the chip and other snack machines. Since the district is being paid by these companies for the right to sell food on campus, district and Skyline officials have little say in where the machines are placed and which foods are vended.
     As it happens, Pepsi thought it a good idea to place soda machines directly outside the sports locker rooms, right down the hall from a new chip machine, which has, by some coincidence, been unplugged and turned against the wall. Pepsi also built the new cement slab outside building 3, which will soon house about four vending machines.
     Several physical education instructors and other members of the Skyline community feel that having junk food for sale in an athletics building sends the wrong kind of message to athletes and individuals who are trying to stay fit. Some feel having these machines, and having a lack of healthy snack choices or water for sale in them, gives the impression that Skyline and its faculty advocate choosing to eat such items.
     Actually, the overwhelming sentiment among instructors, especially in the P.E. department, is that such snacks and drinks do not provide proper nutrition for most college students. This viewpoint is not limited to Skyline, though. In fact, a new law, which will become active in 2006, bans the sale of soft drinks and junk food in all public elementary schools in California.
     As much as we would like to see these companies switch to offering healthy food and beverage choices on our campus, the district’s hands are tied in this situation. The district officials signed a contract giving authority to the vending companies to sell their foods, and these companies are, of course, going to place those items that sell the best in their machines.
     Unfortunately, water and healthy snacks, such as fruit or trail mix, rarely fit into this high-selling category. Even though very little can be done to change what these existing companies sell, the district should be strongly encouraged to include a clause in their next contract that forces vendors to include some healthy options, or should simply try to find a contract with a health food or fruit company.
     Of course, students always have the option of simply packing their own lunches from home, or trekking up to the third-floor cafeteria to enjoy the salad bar or fresh fruit. After all, most college students are already smart enough to realize that chips and soda really do not constitute a meal.
     Still, until their five-year contract is up, our campus and its students will continue to bask in the soft glow of chip and soft drink machines.