Financial problems plague CoffeeHouse

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by Brooke Wooten

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The CoffeeHouse is in great debt to the university despite efforts to increase student patronage. Though its financial situation has recently improved somewhat, the Coffee-House remains vulnerable to shutdown.

The financial problems of the Coffee-House make it susceptible to possible scrutiny by members of the administration.

The CoffeeHouse began the fiscal year in moderate debt following a lapse in entertainment programming and active patronage the year before. Seeking to improve the financial record of the student-run business, the CoffeeHouse reinstituted entertainment programming, adopted longer hours and changed distributors.

Consequently, the CoffeeHouse is currently open during the week from 8 a.m. to midnight. The change in distributors has provided better supplies at a more reasonable price.

However, the prices remained the same for much of the school year. Only recently were prices raised minimally. "The last thing we wanted to do was raise prices," CoffeeHouse Manager Matt Seltzer said. "We try to provide cheap, quality coffee."

The longer hours and subsequent demand for more labor and supplies increased the existing debt.

"We're precariously in debt ... and desperately in need of new equipment," Seltzer said.

"Right now we're trying to get back into a comfortable margin of debt."

The financial difficulties have created some concern that the CoffeeHouse will be scrutinized by the university. As a service run by students and delivered to the Rice community, the establishment has generally been supported by the university.

"From some members of the administration, the CoffeeHouse is under scrutiny," Seltzer said.

"If somebody wanted to shut down the CoffeeHouse, I'm sure they could. There are also people that believe the CoffeeHouse is categorically a good thing."

To alleviate the financial problems of the CoffeeHouse, the management and staff are continuing their efforts to increase patronage and interest.

"We're trying to make the CoffeeHouse more visible to encourage students and faculty to come in," CoffeeHouse worker and Will Rice College freshman Josh Guthals said. "We're not really concerned in making a big profit. We just want to provide reasonable prices for students."

Seltzer said, "I feel very optimistic because we're starting new things and are about to have turnover."

"The books are starting to look better. We're trying to work with [Student Association President] Maryana [Iskander] and Food and Housing to get a card reader for the CoffeeHouse. That should help."

The CoffeeHouse plans to continue its service as a student-run establishment. It also aspires to keep prices low.

"The CoffeeHouse serves an important social function at Rice," Wiess College senior Melissa Chaika said. "It is a place where students -- undergraduate or graduate -- can study and meet people who may be from other colleges. It's sort of a unifying place. It's a good balance to the Pub."

This item appeared in the News section of the March 29, 1996 issue.

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