Oakland University students do not have to venture off campus to rent or purchase movies thanks to a new DVD Now machine in the Oakland Center.

The OC has been home to the DVD rental machine since early November. Students can rent any of the 250 DVDs for $1.18 and games for $2.36.

These items are also available for purchase with new release DVDs at $24.99 and clearance movies as low as $3. Game purchase prices range from $45 to $74.99.

The machine is not owned by the university, but by Eric Franchy, owner and CEO of Cruz Thru Media and former OU student, according to OC Director Richard Fekel.

Franchy contacted the OU Student Congress about placing a machine on campus.

Several years ago, OU had a similar machine on campus that “never really caught on,” according to Fekel. He attributed this to the popularity of DVD rental companies such as Blockbuster.

“Things are different now,” he said. “(This kind of machine) seems to be really popular.”

According to Fekel, the majority of profit from the machine’s rentals and sales go back to Cruz Thru Media.

“This isn’t to generate revenue,” Fekel said. “It is there to provide a service to students, faculty and staff.”

Despite the convenience, the DVD Now machine offers, Student Services Director and OU student Amera Fattah believes it would serve students better in a different location.

“Any location is good, but another location may be better,” she said. “It would make more sense in the residence halls.”

Fattah also said, however, that better marketing for the machine may raise student awareness.

“Students want convenience and we have that on campus,” she said. “Students might just not know about it.”

 

Contact Senior Reporter Jennifer Holychuk via email [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @jholychuk