As students migrate from building to building to attend their classes, they are greeted by grab-and-go markets in Fisher Hall, Rockwell Hall and the Thomas R. Kline School of Law as well as vending machines in the rest of the academic buildings. But if they find themselves in College Hall, their hunger won’t easily be satiated.

College Hall is the only academic building on campus without a snack vending machine. The students and professors that spend time in the building are left only with a machine that serves soda, water and energy drinks.

With students having to sometimes spend hours within the walls of College Hall, it is important they have an option to purchase food within the building.

A 2017 study published in Healthcare: The Journal of Delivery Science and Innovation found that favorable dietary intake was associated with higher academic achievement. The study said that universities should “consider the positive role that diet may play in students’ academic achievement.”

According to No Kid Hungry, hunger can affect concentration, memory and mood — things that are pertinent to learning.

Although students in College Hall can walk over to the Student Union or Campus Market in Towers, why should they have to leave the building where most of their classes are to feed themselves? Also, if Pittsburgh is experiencing inclement weather such as snow or a thunderstorm then it makes the process of getting a snack more difficult and uncomfortable.

Additionally, the Rev. Sean Hogan Dining Hall is not open at all hours; Chick-fil-a and Cinco close at 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, at 2:30 p.m. on Fridays and they are not open on the weekends; the Campus Market closes at 2 a.m.; and Connections closes at 10 p.m. on school nights, according to Duquesne’s website. When these food options are closed, students should have a place where they can get a quick snack when they are studying late.

A vending machine should be placed in College Hall. Gumberg Library just received renovations which included new grab-and-go food options. It is about time the liberal arts college receives food options too.

Students pay thousands of dollars to get an education at the university, but what happens when the education is interrupted by students’ stomachs grumbling and the trek to the nearest meal on campus.

Although the McAnulty Keating Pantry is located on the third floor of College Hall, it contains food such as Peanut Butter, Mac n’ Cheese, bags of potatoes and heads of lettuce. The pantry is there to provide ingredients for students to cook with, not for students who want a quick snack. Sometimes a dedicated studier wants a bag of chips or a pack of M&M’s.

The university needs to make a greater attempt at providing their liberal arts students with the option to get a snack in College Hall. This will help them to succeed in their academic endeavors without the nagging feeling of hunger when they are in between meals.