On last September 1, the prices at the CBNU’s cafeteria menu and coffee from the vending machines went up. The prices of students’ special menu changed from ￦2,000 and ￦2,500 to ￦2,500 and ￦3,000 respectively by raising ￦500, and the professors’ special menu also increased to ￦4,000 from ￦3500. Also, the prices of tea and common coffee are ￦200 by raising ￦50 and special coffee is ￦300 from ￦200.
The CBNU consumers’ cooperative explained the causes as; decrease in the cafeteria’s users, increase in labor cost, materials and fuel costs, and a surtax on selling by vending machine.
In the present condition, costs of the materials have actually increased in the past three years; staple foods by 10.1% and subsidiary foods by 11.1% ~ 72.6%; and wages by 10.2%. In particular, the fuel costs have increased; by 72.6% for kerosene and 62.8% for gas.
For these reasons, a conference of the council, which consists of the Dean of Student Affairs, professors, and the General Students’ Association (GSA), was held. The consumers’ cooperative explained, “The proposed price increases had been ￦300 at first, but the foods will only continue at the present quality unless the price goes up ￦500.”  Also, about the vending machines, he replied, “As the supplier demanded to raise the prices, the coffee cost went up after having checked the current price.”
However, there are students who complained about the change of the prices during the vacation without inquiring of the students’ opinions. A survey for opinions of students who have used the cafeteria has never been conducted. Moreover, the short notice caused the complaints. Choi Su-ji (School of Plant Science & Bio-Resources, 1) said, “Although I expected the increase in price, I only found out a few days later.” The notice about the change was only a few days ago, and the notice on the Internet could be seen only on the day of implementation. Students also received only the results instead of the detailed data.
The consumers’ cooperative has a plan to make new menus which reflect the students’ opinions. The consumers’ cooperative has to continuously consider the students who don’t have economic means because the cafeteria is used by the students.