Coffee on Campus: A Q&A with Student Senator Josh Hansen

Bailley Simms, September 9, 2017

 

 

​

 

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

 

 

 

 

Josh Hansen, 23, Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver Senator talks about his commitment to bringing a coffee shop to campus. In this interview, Hansen explains his representative position and his coffee-fueled idea.

 

Interviewer Bailley Simms: How have the first weeks of the fall semester been as Senator?

Josh Hansen: Pretty good. Senate procedures are all new to me, so it’s different. I am learning as I go.

 

Can you explain your idea of bringing a coffee shop to campus?

When elected in March I ran on the platform of listening to the students. As a representative for the Senate, one of the things I felt I could do that would impact students everyday would be a coffee shop.

 

How has being a member of the Senate helped in this effort?

It gives me a position to advocate. Not to say that Mel (WSUV Chancellor) wouldn’t listen to me, but he’s in charge and now he knows. He’s told me he’s not a coffee fan, and I think that’s why we don’t have one [a coffee shop].

 

I understand you’ve conducted some research, what do the students think about the proposal?

We did a tabling event for two hours over a course of two days, where we gave out free drinks for filling out a survey. Of the 259 students surveyed, 97 percent want a coffee shop.

 

Why do you think students want a coffee shop so badly?

As far as leaving campus, it could be 30 minutes just to get coffee. It would be a convenience thing. It’s more of a moral thing.

 

Moral?

You know, having coffee when you’re here [on campus] late at night. I went to Clark and they had several coffee shops. I had a late class and having coffee made it okay.

​

How soon do you think this plan may come into effect?

My goal was spring semester. Something immediate that the students who want it, get it. They call it “PCP”; Parking lot, class, parking lot, (laughs) because there’s nowhere to hang out. It [a coffee shop] would be a meeting place for students. I talked to a couple vendors. Brewed, a downtown coffee shop, is really into it.

​

What are some other plans you have for the rest of your time as a Senator?

Anything that comes I hope I will rise to the challenge. Look out for a coffee shop.

 

 

​