Student cafeterias in danger of closing

The Student Cafeterias, run by SiO, runs 41 cafés in Oslo. 22 of them are located at Blindern campus. Several of them are losing money, and SiO are considering cutbacks.

– SiO has the first right to run cafeterias on campus. But if they are unable or unwilling to do so we have to consider the alternatives, Frode Meinich, head of thchnical issues at the University of Oslo (Uio), says.

Demands sufficient offer

Five cafes are in the danger zone of being closed down. Managing director of The Student Cafeterias, Alain Clérambault, do not wish comment on which cafes this may be, but emphasizes that in a situation where cafeterias are shut down they will be replaced by alternative arrangements.

Clérambault don't think private actors will partake in the running of the student cafes in the future.

– The students shall have access to good cafeterias on campus. We will therefore consider extending the opening hours and making more room in the cafes in the neighboring buildings, Clérambault says.

A few years ago the student cafeteria in the Building of Chemistry was shut down. Meinich says UiO felt that The Student Cafeterias didn't provide a sufficient offer for the students, and others were given the opportunity to run the café.

– But The Student Cafeterias resumed the running after a short period of time he says.

A different café that was shut down was the HF 12.

– We then expanded Kafé Niels, located in the same building, Clérambault says.

Such arrangement will now be considered, if some cafeterias are closed down.

Strained budgets

The Student Cafeterias have one budget for all of their cafeterias, and fewer cafes means more economic freedom. Reduced prices are nevertheless not a likely consequence. The Student Cafeterias just lost a catering contract worth five million NOK, and saving money will only help avoid having to raise the prices.