“Call anyone, anywhere, anytime with Verizon Wireless!”
“Get a newspaper subscription for only $5!”
“Sign up for an account with us and get a free burrito from Chipotle!”
Students crossing the Driscoll Bridge will encounter numerous representatives from independently-owned businesses, corporate firms and student organizations trying to entice students to open bank accounts or buy cell phones, Internet service, jewelry, clothing and even newspaper subscriptions. Representatives of student organizations try to coax students into joining their club or help in bake sales to earn money for trips.
John Nichols, director of the Driscoll Center, said those wanting to sell anything on the Bridge have to schedule with either him or the Information Desk. Nichols said student organizations have priority over businesses and corporate firms and get a table at no cost. Businesses, however, have to pay $50 per day and sign a contract outlining selling practices.
Although the contracts clearly state businesses must stay on the east side of the Bridge and not directly approach students, many are becoming more aggressive in their selling techniques. Businesses like the Denver Post/Rocky Mountain News and several cell phone companies verbally badger students and even stand on the west side of the Bridge to intercept students walking to and from class.
“They pressure people a lot,” sophomore Solomon Malekou said, “especially those who sell wireless. I either try to ignore them or tell them I already have it or don’t want it. I did buy a cell phone from Verizon, but I bought it because I wanted to.”
Sophomore Lesley Ann Beckmann said she occasionally meets a “pushy” person when she crosses the Bridge, but has bought a necklace from an independent jewelry seller.
Nichols said that the revenue from renting space goes into a revenue expectation fund and may later go into a general fund to benefit Driscoll Center. He said the revenue, however, has not been calculated. He also said since there are only nine spaces available, tables are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Nichols said most businesses just want to sell at the beginning of each quarter to catch more people, but he does get regulars who sell throughout the year.
“I even have people who have been selling on the Bridge for the last 15 years,” he said.
In recent years, he said he has been seeing an unusually higher number of businesses wanting to sell on. And there are those, such as the hot dog vendor, who sell on Asbury Avenue outside of Sturm Hall. Nichols said vendors don’t need to get permission because sidewalks are city property and he probably has a permit from the city of Denver.
Deborah Morgan, personal banker for Wells Fargo Bank, said, “we know [the other businesses] are like vultures to the students. We try not to do that. We just try to get our product across to the students.”
Morgan added, “Wells Fargo and DU have a long-standing relationship and usually students already have accounts with us. We know people are busy and don’t often get down to the other branches. We’re here to cater to the students.”
