Well that certainly turned out to be a convenient accident for GNV’s Corporate U.
When a UF student was hit and seriously injured last February by a Hare Krishna catering truck, the university’s response was quick and…well…dirty:
An immediate suspension of Krishna food sales on campus.
Just pending a thorough accident investigation and remedial actions, you understand. Only prudent, right?
And never mind that Krishna lunches was a popular on-campus dining tradition when UF students were standing on the steps of Tigert Hall demanding an end to the war in Vietnam and civil rights for all.
Eager to show that they take safety seriously, the Krishna’s decided to replace its heavy box food delivery trucks with less intrusive electric carts.
But before the carts could even be delivered, the other Corporate U shoe dropped. With a thud.
Krishna lunches are terminated forthwith. No ifs, ands or buts.
And certainly no explanation given.
Still, CU did have the good grace to say “We wish you and your organization all the best going forward.”
Nice touch that. Otherwise it was “no comment” all the live long day.
All of which should surprise no one who has watched the University of Florida’s steady, predictable evolution to Corporate U.
Or Gator Franchises R Us.
Traditions are fine and dandy when you’re talking about rousing chants of “Two Bits” on a Saturday in The Swamp.
But campus food service is a big business. Corporate vendors pay Tigert Hall big bucks for the privilege of being able to funnel thousands of students into their campus dining halls every day.
And let’s face it. Every student who consumes a Krishna serving of rice, chickpeas and cabbage, isn’t eating at Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, Pollo Tropical or any of the other vendors that pay Corporate U handsomely for a captive customer base.
Bob Cohen, who has been trying mightily to negotiate with UF since the accident, told The Sun that the Krishna’s have basically been “ghosted” by Tigert Hall.
No surprise there.
Listen, if the Krishna’s want to get back on campus, they need to follow the rules:
Shed their non-profit status.
Incorporate as a profit-making venture.
Pay a marketing firm to design an eye-grabbing logo.
Get influential Krishna alums to make hefty donations to Corporate U.
And hire a first class legal team to jump through all of the hoops necessary to become a vendor.
Oh, and it might also help to trade in the rice, chickpeas and cabbage for Argentine-raised beef, Iowa-grown fries and good old American shakes.
Listen, tradition counts for zilch at Corporate U. It’s money that talks. And the smart money bet on Hare Krishna being disappeared since that all-so convenient accident.
Which, when you think of it, makes perfect sense on a Free Floriduh campus that routinely banishes students for protesting war and demanding civil rights.
FreeGNV 