Facebook helps keep TroGro open

Efforts by USC students to “Keep TroGro Open 24/7!,” a Facebook event, proved worthwhile on Thursday when USC officials announced it would stay open.

Thousands of students had petitioned on the event page and also used it as a forum to discuss why it should stay open.

Students reacted with excitement to the success of the online petition against the new hours that would have closed USC’s only 24-hour eatery between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. TroGro announced last week it would have limited hours and the online response was immense with more than 4,000 people “attending” the petition.

One USC student talked about the many times she came back from the Row or Leavey library late at night and had no food options on campus.

“It was really upsetting because we really need a 24-hour place for food and coffee and such,” Kat Belinfante, a USC student, said. “It’s really nice to have and not just for late night food for us but it’s smart on their [USC’s] part cause they make money too.”

Students sent emails to Kris Klinger, director of USC Hospitality, addressing their need for TroGro to stay open 24 hours a day, the Daily Trojan reported. Many students said safety was a big factor.

“Some of the emails we received were powerful and moving, and made good arguments,” Klinger said. “Some of the safety concerns that the students mentioned were extremely valid. If they wanted a snack between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., they would have to go off campus, and it’s not as safe as it is on campus.”

Ryan Williams posted his last message on the wall of the event page saying this:

“I would just like to say thank you to all of you that joined this event, it helped the movement so much. I don’t wanna get preachy, but literally, if you put your mind into something you can get it done. So, the next time you buy a coffee from TroGro at 2:30 in the morning, remember that you helped to make it that way.
I’m bowing out ...of this petition business, too stressful.
Much Love,
RKW.”