Aswani on the Tower Records CVS Plan: "I do support seeing a CVS there"

As part of The Hatchet's coverage of the decision to make the old Tower Records space into Foggy Bottom's tenth CVS, newly-elected SA President Vishal Aswani, when asked about his thoughts on the matter, told the paper:

"I do support seeing a CVS there just because as a GWorld vendor - as a partner in the GWorld program - it's just a significant opportunity for students to use their Colonial Cash there at a resource that is kind of multi-purpose," Aswani said.

He added that this CVS would be more convenient than other locations in the area because of its proximity to GW's non-undergraduate population, including law school students and the Marvin Center staff.

"What's going to be a great thing about having that CVS there, because it's a GWorld partner, it will help educate the graduate school population on the advantages of using GWorld," Aswani said.

While I recognize that Aswani represents all students, including law school students, and while I think he is right for praising the GWorld-friendliness of the new store, he fails to address the following:

A) There are two GWorld-accepting CVSs within three blocks of the law school - at 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, and at 1900 K St.

As a visual, here are directions from the Law School (2000 H St. NW) to those CVSs:


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B) The CVS aside, Aswani makes no mention of the fact that GW administrators bascially dismissed GW students in their comments on the matter:

"Will we actively seek input from the student body? No. Are there mechanisms for student input? Yes." [University Spokesperson Tracy] Schario said." ("CVS may occupy vacant space in Shops at 2000 Penn," The Hatchet, January 28, 2008)

"University spokesperson Tracy Schario said Monday that the CVS would benefit both the campus and the businesses housed in 2000 Penn.

'I think you have to look at the context of that particular space,' Schario said. 'It's in an office building, and while it's in a GW-owned building and in a campus environment, it's a heavy mix of business customers first and students second.'" ("CVS to open in 2000 Penn.," The Hatchet, March 27, 2008)

While it may be too late to do anything about this issue, I am hopeful that in the future Aswani will recognize that in some cases, standing up for students means standing up to administrators.

In the meantime, all those opposed to the construction of another CVS in Foggy Bottom can join the "We Don't Need Another CVS!!!" Facebook group.

Our worst fears realized: CVS No. 10 is on it's way

As first reported by James back in January, as one of the options for filling the empty Tower Records space, GW was considering leasing the building to CVS, making the spot the tenth CVS within walking distance of the GW campus.

Yesterday, word came from The Hatchet's blog that CVS had signed the lease and would be moving into the spot. A story on the deal is expected to run in tomorrow's Hatchet.

Since it was apparent that the school's administration sought no student imput on putting up another CVS, and since many people I spoke with were and still are opposed to the idea (with many more to surely follow once this story hits The Hatchet tomorrow), I propose the following calls to action to counter the "red menace":

1) Join the newly-created anti-CVS in the Tower Records space Facebook group.

2) Write a letter to the editor of The Hatchet and express your displeasure with not only the CVS, but with the GW administrators failure to take student input into account.

3) If and when it opens, boycott the CVS!!!

GW Must Like Even Numbers - Why Else Would We Need a 10th CVS?

GW wants to put yet another CVS on campus to fill the vacant spot left by the demise of Tower Records at the 2000 Penn shopping center, according to this article from The Hatchet and this post on their blog.

Really? Does GW really need another CVS? Already there are 4 versions of the convenience store I would consider "on campus," and another 5 that accept GWorld. For non-math majors, that's 9 CVS stores for GW!


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According to The Hatchet, the SA (rightly) pushed for a Barnes & Noble, but were told there wasn't enough space to accommodate the book megastore. Most likely, however, the real reason is GW doesn't want to give students an easy alternative to the school's own outrageous bookstore prices.

Apparently there are other companies in the hat, but GW won't tell us whom. This secrecy seems a little uncalled for, particularly given university spokesperson Tracy Schario says the administration is looking for the "business [that] will best serve the neighborhood and student needs."
That said, I think she pretty much sums up GW's attitude to the affair:

"Will we actively seek input from the student body? No. Are there mechanisms for student input? Yes."

Really? You don't want input from the student body? Yet again, GW plans to decide what's best for students and Foggy Bottom, the same way it did when reforming J Street.

Let's be honest, GW is going to do whatever is best for GW. J Street's reforms were never about providing a better environment/options/whatever else for students, they were about guaranteeing Sodexho money.

Supposedly students aren't completely disenfranchised, however. These "mechanisms", according to The Hatchet, are to "approach the Student Association dining services committee [or] a member of University President Steven Knapp's office."

My question is, "Who?" Who are students supposed to contact to voice their input? Which "member" of Knapp's office?

Well, some quick research brought up this feedback form for Dining Services. Also, you can call Knapp's office at 202-994-6500.

Don't let GW to tell us what's best for us, yet again. Comment and tell GW what you think is best for you in the comments!

(Image from Nick Gingold)