Ball State University students will have to dig deeper in their pockets if they want to purchase vending machine goods now that the prices have increased.
Leisa Julian, director of finance legal affairs, said the increase would only affect vending machines, and would have no affect on other food service prices on campus.
"The vending company makes a recommendation, we review it, discuss it, then we either agree or disagree with it," Julian said.
She said that the price increase was due to inflation.
"There are 12 categories of products sold in the vending machines and the price increase varies between them," Julian said. Bottled drinks will have the largest increase at 25 cents, she said. Other raised drink prices include 10 cents for 12 ounce soft drinks and 15 cents for eight ounce milk bottles, Julian said. Drink dispensers, such as the coffee and hot chocolate machines, are not subject to the price increase.
Snacks found in campus vending machines also will be subject to the increase. Candy, cookies and large single serving snack prices will rise 10 cents, while gum and mint prices will go up five cents.
Ball State telecommunications junior Brian Daugherty, who uses the machines about three times a week, said the price increase seemed fair.
"It kind of goes along with the rising cost of college prices in general," he said.
Some other students disagree.
Nicole Akey, a freshman journalism graphics major, said that she understood why the price hike was necessary, but she wished the price would have stayed the same for cash-strapped college students.
"It makes a difference," she said. "[The extra quarter spent on] four bottles of coke would do a whole load of laundry."