Rodent in Starbucks The Xavierite
Video recordings were shown to the Xavierite of mice running around the on-campus Starbucks. These videos were recorded on Wednesday Oct. 23 and Saturday Oct. 26.
The only sighting reported to the Starbucks Management was from a Starbucks employee on Wednesday Oct. 23.
On Friday Oct. 25, two rodents were found dead in traps.
According to Starbucks Management, no SXU student made any reports to them about the rodents.
The video recorded on the 23 was taken during Starbucks operating hours at 9:30 p.m., whereas the video sent on Saturday was taken while the location was closed at 5:35 p.m. Each video was recorded from the windows in the entrance to Morris Hall and Starbucks.
Sophia Robledo, SXU student, video the rodents waiting outside of starbucks on Wednesday night waiting for her pizza to be delivered to Morris Hall.
“I looked inside the Starbucks just to see if I could see the delivery drivers headlights near the little circle intersection, but then I saw baby mice. Not one, but two. I was so confused because the Starbucks was open, so like… why wouldn’t they notice?” Robledo explained.
During a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday Oct. 24, President Keith Elder, Ph.D., MPH, MPA, was made aware of the rodents in Starbucks after being asked if there was anything being done about the problem. “This is the first time I am hearing about rodents in Starbucks. We will definitely address the issue,” Elder stated.
Shortly after the meeting concluded, Donna Eastman, Senior Executive Assistant to the President and Special Assistant to the Board of Trustees, followed up with information regarding an inspection after the matter.
Eastman explained, “Since your videos have been shared to me, I have shared the information with our Facilities Services team, and we are continuing to take steps to address this issue.”
SXU is contracted with the Anderson Pest Control company who completed an onsite inspection on Thursday Oct. 24 at 6:42 a.m. after a Starbucks employee spotted a rodent for the first time on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
“Anderson pest control company was called to come and check, and they arrived the next day,” according to Edgardo Beltran, Starbucks Lead Supervisor.
Anderson Pest Control came back for a second inspection on Wednesday Oct. 29 and is scheduled for a third on Monday Nov. 11.
He further explained that since the seasons are changing, “rodents look for a warm and safe place.”
The first thing looked for in the facility was any openings, cracks, or possible ways rodents were able to enter. None were found and it was assumed that the mice slipped through when opening and closing entrance doors.
Starbucks has traps placed strategically within the premises where there could be possible rodent activity. Beltran explained that the traps are checked routinely by him or other Starbucks employees. “When one gets caught, we call the company to report it,” shared Beltran.
Starbucks employees are currently working to maintain cleanliness on the premises.
Beltran voiced, “At Starbucks we have a daily cleaning routine and a deep cleaning system every week. The incident is something unfortunate, due to external causes, however, I can confirm that strict health standards are maintained so that students and customers can confidently go to Starbucks.”
To make a report regarding rodents on campus fill out the SXU Service Request Form on mySXU.