The start of the 2024-25 school year brought an unexpected change to Ransom Everglades’ bookstore inventory: No more coffee.
For many students, the absence of their go-to caffeine fix has been a shock to their daily routines. “When I walked into the bookstore on the first day of school and didn’t see coffee in the fridge, I couldn’t believe it,” said Riley Sepin ’25, President of the Wellness Council.
Mrs. Isis Perez-Gonzalez, RE’s Director of Counseling and the overseer of the Student Wellness Board, explained that the decision aligns with RE’s broader efforts to promote student well-being. The idea originated from the Healthcare Committee, spearheaded by Nurse Marie Gregorio. After careful consideration, the administration agreed that removing coffee is in the best interest of the student body.
According to Nurse Gregorio, the decision was the product of hours of administrative deliberation. “We weighed the pros and cons of student dependence on coffee,” said Gregorio. “But the heart of the matter isn’t caffeine itself—it’s about creating healthier sleep habits for our students.”
The new ban is one in a series of health-conscious administrative decisions geared toward facilitating better sleep habits for students. “We’ve taken several steps, including starting classes later on Fridays, and the coffee ban is just another initiative aimed at improving students’ overall well-being,” said Ms. P-G.
Since the bookstore began offering Starbucks Frappuccino in 2021, coffee quickly became a student favorite, expanding to include a variety of options like espressos and cold brews. However, Gregorio noted that the Healthcare Committee was unaware of the extent of sugary, caffeinated beverages being sold. “When I saw the amount of sugar and caffeine, I knew something had to change,” she said.
The shift toward a coffee-free bookstore began in 2023-24 with the gradual removal of highly caffeinated drinks like Celsius. The bookstore has since eliminated other sugary snacks, but caffeine remained a key focus for the Committee. “We understand students use caffeine to compensate for lack of sleep, but we want them to prioritize rest over a quick fix,” added Ms. PG.
Reactions from the student body have been divided. Some, like HealthcaRE President Sophie Ansin ’25, support the health-conscious move but acknowledge its impact. “Coffee is essential for many students’ routines, especially with RE’s rigorous schedules,” she said.
Others, like Mason Lastra ’25, see the ban as more of a punishment. “I watched my friend fall asleep during Physics after morning practice because he was so tired,” he said.
Although some students have reported feeling blindsided by the decision, Nurse Gregorio noted that the Committee made the change in response to student feedback. “We looked at past student surveys where students reported not getting enough sleep,” Gregorio said. “We hope removing caffeine from campus will encourage healthier sleep habits.”
In response to the ban, students have begun exploring creative ways to cope with the caffeine shortage. Ideas like club-endorsed coffee sales in the breezeway have been the topic of various conversations among students on campus. “If health is the main concern, it would be helpful to have some sort of healthy alternative,” said Sepin.
