There’s a new credit union that will be replacing Brooks’ Stop in the future, leaving some students frustrated about the decision.
Utah Tech University received a $7 million donation to partner with Utah Community Credit Union (UCCU). The university announced that, as part of the partnership, UCCU will become “an integrated presence on campus” that promises to teach students how to handle their finances better.
Furthermore, a financial wellness center from UCCU will be created on the university’s campus to provide financial literacy and educational opportunities.
Justin Olson, president and CEO of UCCU, said the Utah Community Credit Union wants to join Utah Tech to help build a community that supports financial strength and higher education.
In an article published by the university, Olson explained why they are collaborating with the university. He said the credit union was founded on a college campus, and that they have a close connection with higher education.
In that same article, Utah Tech President Shane B. Smeed also gave a message to the faculty, staff and students in regards to this collaboration.
“This alliance is a reflection of my vision for Utah Tech to collaborate with like-minded organizations to positively impact the lives of the students and community members we both serve,” Smeed said on the announcement. “This […] is not just an investment in our students’ future, but a way to ensure every Trailblazer has the tools and opportunities to succeed.”
Zach Gates, director of dining services, gave information on why Brooks’ Stop has been the establishment selected for being replaced with the credit union.
Gates said Brooks’ Stop used to be the primary dining option on campus, and it used to be busier before the Campus Corner Market took most of the customers it had. This has caused the establishment to find ways to revive it, although Gates said they haven’t found success.
“The biggest reason the bank would move in there is due to the lack of production coming from Brooks’ Stop,” Gates said. “This whole thing is still in the early stages, so a closing date for Brooks’ Stop, tentatively, would be after graduation in May.”
None of the students currently working at Brooks’ will lose their positions as they will be relocated to another establishment, and students who have meal plans will not be affected by this change.
To make up for the loss of a dining option, there are considerations of making adjustments to other dining areas to make sure there is a food option late at night and on weekends. Aside from that, dining services will continue to provide food options across campus that will serve the meal plan.
What concerns some students on campus about this collaboration is the removal of Brooks’ Stop. Students have an appreciation for this dining establishment because of its open hours and its convenient location.
Gaspar Quilaqueo, a junior management major from Melipeuco, Chile, said he isn’t satisfied with this decision because of how convenient Brooks’ Stop is.
“I don’t think this is a good decision for the students,” Quilaqueo said. “I frequently eat there because it is the only one on campus place that is open later in the day and has very good prices this year. The other dining options close way too early, and students cannot afford it on a consistent basis.”
Another student also doesn’t see much use in this facility compared to a dining place.
“I don’t think I see myself using this bank in the future,” said Sean Flint, a sophomore information systems and analytics major from Las Vegas. “I would’ve put it somewhere else or inside the diner because it’s not something students would use more frequently than Brooks’ Stop.”
Flint also said that the removal of Brooks’ Stop will be a loss for the student community, as they have prices at a more reasonable range. They have expanded the menu this year, which made it a reliable place to go when lacking food items at home.
Suhas Rajkumar, a freshman pre-engineering major from Tamil Nadu, India, said the bank doesn’t make much sense since not many students living at Campus View Suites work.
“It removes the convenience of having cheaper food, and I think, overall, the diner is very reliable for it to be taken over by something that students haven’t really asked for,” Rajkumar said.
However, Gates said the decision to shut down Brooks’ Stop could be changed in the future if the diner proves to be profitable next semester.
“We look forward to adding new options to the menu for the spring semester,” Gates said. “I would love for our spring semester to be so profitable and busy that we would have to reconsider closing the store down.”
