On-campus decadence?

Staci

I just returned from a quick business trip to Las Vegas , the city of ultimate decadence. But not to worry — much to my mother's chagrin (she loves to play the penny slots), I didn't gamble a cent.

While I was there I had the chance to visit the UNLV  campus with a few colleagues, and I left feeling three emotions: impressed, jealous, and disheartened.

I was impressed with the campus itself — it's open and sprawling, with an architecturally stunning, technologically advanced library and a gorgeous, brand-new student union building. This year UNLV is celebrating its 50th anniversary  — also an impressive milestone.

I was jealous because in the gorgeous, brand-new student union building, there are — among other things — funky comfortable chairs, tons of natural light, wireless internet access throughout, and a food court that would put any shopping mall to shame. The place was hopping, filled with people and energy, and busier than a casino on the Strip.

And I was disheartened because I observed young UNLV students throwing money around like crazy. There were huge lines at both Starbucks  and Jamba Juice  — certainly not cheap at $4 a pop. Students were streaming in and out of the campus convenience store with their arms full of Red Bull and bottled water. Most of the students I saw were using cash, although some used credit cards or their Rebel Cards  to pay for their expensive beverages.

As we walked around, my colleague Rachel said to me, "I would've spent all my student loan money in here!"

Sadly, student financial services at UNLV are relegated to an older, out-of-the way building. Other than a few people in line to pay their bills at the Bursar's Office, no one was there.

I'm not trying to pick on UNLV, because this on-campus decadence isn't limited to Las Vegas. Colleges are undoubtedly responding to the demands of their student populations, and giving students what they want. This generation  seems to want lattés and smoothies and energy drinks not just as occasional treats, but as daily purchases.

College life has come a long way since I graduated, but so have the temptations to spend on campus. For those of you out there living it right now, how do you balance those wants and needs? Or do you not, and just figure you'll pay for it later?