Stephanie Steiner | Arts & Life Co-Editor

Each semester, students at Buena Vista University (BVU) are given a $30 amount on their student IDs, called “Beaver Bucks.” Beaver Bucks can be used at various places on campus such as the late night grill or the Common Grounds Coffee Shop. But for some students, Beaver Bucks are gone before they know it.

Junior Carolyn McDermott is just about out of her Beaver Bucks for the semester and explains why she tends to spend them.

“Always, I like to think that the $30 is free money, even though they are included in my school fees. It also depends on how stressful my semester has been – more exams, projects, presentations, and papers I have equates to more coffee,” McDermott said.

Whether you are intentional about your quick spending or you try to savor the Beaver Bucks and fail, many students are in the same situation as you. In other words, you probably should not feel too bad about it, except for the fact that you actually need to use cash or a card to get a latte in the morning or cheese curds at night.

Senior Tyson-Jay Domingo realizes the importance of Beaver Bucks in his college life.

“I don’t even think twice about spending my Beaver Bucks. They’re there, so I use them. It’s one of those things where I take advantage of it because I’ve kind of paid for it coming to BVU. It’s like the gym, except not?” Domingo said.

Domingo works at the Common Grounds Coffee Shop on campus and also spends most of his Beaver Bucks there. He thinks students need to take advantage of the money.

“When I work at the coffee shop, it pains me to see people who have $20+ left at the end of the school year, and I just think to myself, ‘Will you please buy me coffee tomorrow morning?’” Domingo said.

There might be a better way to solve this problem of running out of Beaver Bucks so soon, especially for students who would rather split their money for meals at the serve with places such as the Common Grounds Coffee Shop or the late night grill.

“I really wish that I could select a meal plan that has Beaver Bucks included with the account,” McDermott said, “For example, have a 140 meal swipes (10 meal plan) a semester with $230 Beaver Bucks. Sign me up!”

Photo by Justice Gage