When they are working, campus vending machines allow students to purchase snacks with cash without standing in cafeteria food lines. However, sometimes they are not operating.

“I tried getting stuff in the middle vending machine, the one with the chips, and it just gave me my coins back,” junior Khaeilene Epan said. “I remember probably a few weeks back there was no line for the middle vending machine, which is not normal, but usually you can tell when it’s broken because there’s no line for it.”

According to sophomore Logan Bernardy, a malfunctioning machine creates longer lines.

“I see at lunch there is, like, a giant, giant line if one of the vending machines isn’t working,” Bernardy said.

RJUHSD Director of Food Services Jay Brown claimed these malfunctions begin with student mistreatment, including trying to trick the machine.

“Students placing tape on paper bills and trying to pull the bill back out… coins with holes drilled in them and a string attached… Coin return button being kicked trying to get coins,” Brown said in an email.

Senior Tommy Bertoli observed that the machines have been breaking recently.

“I never bring a lunch to school and I pretty much rely on the vending machines for food, so I’m always hungry and the vending machines have been breaking for like a week now,” Bertoli said. “It kind of sucks.”

When asked if they potentially needed an upgrade, Brown stated the campus machines are “highest quality exterior machines.” Brown suggested ways students could handle purchases to avoid out-of-order machines.

“Go slower and wait for money to register before entering selection. If your item gets stuck don’t hit the machine, simply enter the item number again. Never kick or hit the machines,” Brown said. “Instead go to the cafeteria and let them know.”

According to Brown, student dishonesty can hinder investigation of reported malfunctioning.

“Please note no refunds are given until the following day, allowing us time to research the incident,” Brown said. “Unfortunately some students try to lie to us.”