Food delivery has become an integral part of our lives. However, do delivery people on campus pose a safety hazard to the school? Does the school have the authority to administer and charge for delivery services?
These issues have recently sparked controversy at Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Minhang campus.
The incident began on August 3, when the Minhang Campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University issued a notice announcing that Shanghai Jiao Tong University would set up a campus delivery team to revitalize the education service industry*** to handle all delivery orders from external platforms to reduce the safety risks caused by delivery staff inside and outside the campus.
According to the notice, from now on, delivery workers only need to register at 600 Dongchuan Road (Arc de Triomphe) to enter the campus to complete the delivery. Unregistered delivery workers are barred from campus and simply have their orders delivered to the nearest transit station.
As of September 1, all delivery workers will be prohibited from entering the campus, and the campus delivery team will take over all delivery orders on campus.
The notice also mentions that during the trial period, the delivery platform will charge 2 to 2 for delivery orders on campus based on factors such as distance$5 fee. This method of charging has caused dissatisfaction and questions from many students and delivery workers.
On the evening of August 14, the Security Department of Shanghai Jiao Tong University updated the relevant arrangements for delivery management at the Minhang campus. The arrangement said it would maintain the existing model, allowing delivery platforms to arrange their own delivery routes based on orders. Delivery personnel approved by the platform can enter and exit the campus through the four gates during opening hours, but need to register with the security department.
The school will further strengthen the management of delivery vehicles, combat unsafe behaviors such as speeding and wrong-way driving, and ensure the safety of teachers and students by increasing campus patrols and working with delivery platforms.
Regarding this matter, the comments of netizens expressed different views and voices. Some people support the school's approach, arguing that it can ensure the safety and order of the campus while protecting the rights and interests of delivery workers.
There are also those who oppose the school's approach, arguing that it deprives delivery workers of their income and adds additional costs to students. Some netizens see this as a form of commercial monopoly, using campus resources for profit. Here are some of the comments from netizens:
This is clearly a monopolistic act. What is the relationship between schools and revitalization? Why force delivery people to pay? Isn't this depriving them of the fruits of their hard work? Moreover, students have to spend more money, and there is no guarantee of the temperature and taste of the food. This will only displease everyone. "
I don't think it's a simple question and there are probably a lot of stakeholders involved. For example, a school may want to control the on-campus ** to prevent safety hazards or disease risks. Revitalization may want to use the school's resources to make money or do some kind of collaboration with the school. Delivery platforms may want to maintain market share or reduce costs and liability. Delivery workers may want to keep their earnings and job entitlements. Students may want to enjoy convenient and affordable delivery services. Therefore, this issue cannot be explained in a single sentence and needs to be considered from multiple perspectives. "
In my opinion, the recent Shanghai Jiao Tong University delivery incident involves multiple interests and needs. As an educational institution, the school has the responsibility to ensure the safety and order of the campus, and also has the right to manage and regulate the services on the campus.
However, schools should also respect the choices and needs of delivery workers and students, and should not impose fees or restrict delivery methods.