University of Virginia Library

Students Hit Refrigerator Costs;
Council To Study Sales, Rentals

By Donn Kessler
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Once more, problems have arisen with
the use of refrigerators in University
housing - no store in Charlottesville can
supply the specified type cheaply.

Monday, Ralph Main, Director of
Housing, announced that the University
would allow students to use refrigerators
in their dormitory rooms if they met
certain stipulations.

Among these regulations were that the
refrigerators could not have a capacity
greater that 3.5 cubic feet, could not be
larger than 2 × 2 × 2 feet in outside
dimensions, and could not exceed 60 watts.

In addition, the students would have to
purchase $10 permits from the Division of
Housing to keep the appliances. Students not
buying the permit would be fined an extra $10.
The University also announced that it would
inspect the refrigerators.

Yesterday, numerous complaints were
received by The Cavalier Daily and the Student
Council that students could not afford to pay
"high" prices locally for the refrigerators.

Single Source

In response to these complaints. The
Cavalier Daily contacted every major appliance
store in Charlottesville. In response to this
investigation, it was discovered that only one
store carried refrigerators that met University
requirements. Ray Fisher, Inc., stated that they
carried the refrigerator that met the
specifications and that it sold for $99.95.

All of the other stores contacted stated that
they either did not carry the type of
refrigerator needed or that it would take a
"long time to order it."

The Student Council seems to have expected
this problem as a committee has already begun
to look into the possibility of the Council
renting or selling refrigerators to students at a
lower cost than private enterprise.

Kevin Mannix, President of the Student
Council, stated that there were two reasons that
the Council might get involved in the supplying
of refrigerators.

Consumer Protection

The first reason, he stated, was that a small,
local source of supply would lack competition
and could easily raise their prices.

Mr. Mannix stated that the second reason
for involvement of the Council would be
consumer protection. He said that an outside
company could come into the University and
supply the refrigerators without any guarantee
to the students of quality or service.

Mr. Mannix said that the Council has
information on various companies that would
be willing to rent or sell refrigerators to the
Council with a discount on mass orders.

Lower Prices

He added that the Council could then rent
or sell the appliances to the students at a lower
price than private business.

The profits, Mr. Mannix continued, would
go completely to the Council and not to
business and could be used for the students.,

Mike Flock, chairman of the Council Food
Services Committee, stated that the Council
would be consulting with the Alderman Road
Council and the First Year Legislative Council
before any decisions were made.

Mr. Mannix said that a decision would be
made on the Council's possible involvement in
the supplying of refrigerators during a Council
meeting to be held 4 p.m. Monday.