Collection of short message cards posted online

Q:

Will there be any merchandise featuring Yutas-kun?
I would definitely buy a plush keychain if there was one.

A:

Yutas-kun merchandise
, the only product featuring Yutas-kun is the academic calendar published by the Komaba Tomo no Kai (Komaba Friends Association). (This was a limited-time release and is no longer available in stores. Please refer to the Komaba Tomo no Kai website.)
As Yutas-kun is a faculty character, we do not currently sell it through the co-op, but we will keep this in mind if we have an opportunity to produce merchandise featuring him in the future.

Q:

Please use knives that are sharp. At the very least, serrated. It makes it really hard to eat the chicken! I'm sure there are reasons for this, such as safety or to prevent damage to the plates, but rather than leaving a useless knife that can hardly be called a knife around, I'd like you to simply cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and serve it, and get rid of the knife altogether. Thank you

A:

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused. We are planning to update our cutlery, including knives. It will take some time for the changes to be made

Q:

I would like a half-size serving of brown rice omelet rice. I would also like to have hot green tea with both meals

A:

・Regarding the brown rice omelet rice, due to the cooking process, offering various sizes would significantly increase the waiting time compared to the current cooking time, so we are currently only offering one size. We sincerely apologize that we cannot immediately accommodate requests for half sizes. However, outside of busy times, we can accommodate requests for less rice, so please let us know.
・Regarding your request for tea on the second floor, thank you for your request. The second floor does not have the same plumbing and tea dispensing equipment as the first floor, so currently our staff is refilling the drink dispenser with water as needed, and therefore we are only able to offer water. We are exploring what methods are possible with the equipment on the second floor, so we would appreciate your patience for a little while longer.

Q:

The salad bar, which is offered during certain hours, requires customers to weigh their items on a scale located at the register. However, I was puzzled to see a weight-like object placed on the scale, labeled as "set to the weight of a plate." Does this mean the object itself weighs the same as a single plate? If so, shouldn't the scale be zeroed out before the object is removed and then weighed?
Could you please explain the purpose of this object?

A:

We sincerely apologize for the lack of clarity in our explanation regarding your inquiry.
The scale for the salad bar at the register is set to weigh up to three plates simultaneously, subtracting the weight of three plates for operational reasons. Therefore, when you use one or two plates, we ask that you place a weight equivalent to the weight of the plates before weighing. We are very sorry for the insufficient explanation. We have added an explanation to the register scale as shown in the attached photo. Thank you for your continued support.

Q:

I had a katsudon made on the spot; it reminded me of Komaba.
Regarding the size indications for the donburi dishes, if the only thing that changes depending on the size is the amount of rice, please clearly state that in an easily visible place.
Also, please make the nutritional information available to people who are not using the student cafeteria money.

A:

Thank you for using Ginkgo Metro Cafeteria. We apologize for the long wait as we have reopened after approximately three years.
We apologize for the unclear labeling of our katsudon and oyakodon. The labeling remained unchanged from when we were closed. We will be installing POP displays in the menu case.
We also sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the large-scale system changes at the National University Co-op Group regarding nutritional information. The University of Tokyo Co-op has requested improvements. Please wait a little longer. Thank you for your continued support.

Q:

I have a green "Co-op Voucher" (University of Tokyo Consumer Cooperative). Can I use this voucher at the Travel Center? I
would like to use it for Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets and express train tickets.

A:

You can also use this to purchase tickets, so
please inform a staff member when making your purchase.

Q:

I tried to apply for membership with the Co-op online, but I found it extremely inconvenient that I could only upload my ID in jpg/gif/png format. The iPhone's native functions don't support converting to these file formats, so I'd like to see an improvement to allow uploading in jpeg format. While it's currently possible to convert to the specified file format using a third-party service or a PC, considering the risks of uploading my ID to a third-party service and the hassle of having to take my PC out, I would really like to see jpeg uploads made possible

A:

to allow uploads in JPEG format
We have modified the program
Please try again.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Thank you also for your valuable feedback.

Q:

I would like to ask about the new cash registers that were introduced on September 1st. I understand that you are having difficulty adapting to the new machines at your co-op facilities, especially in the cafeteria. I apologize for asking this question when you are already struggling to adapt, but I have three questions regarding this

・What could be the cause?
It could simply be that customers are unfamiliar with the new machine and are taking longer to operate it, or it could be a system malfunction. However, we have heard from cashiers that the response is slower compared to the previous machine, and after some observation, we have noticed that the user interface of the machine itself has deteriorated, such as the requirement to enter a PIN for credit card payments, the slower printing speed of receipts, and the increased number of operations required due to the introduction of tablets. In this regard, we would like to hear from those who actually operate the registers, and also hear how the cooperative perceives the cause.

• Are there any current countermeasures?
If there are any countermeasures being implemented or considered to address the above causes, please let us know.

・Do you have a plan to improve the time efficiency of the cash registers and raise it to previous levels by the start of the semester (early October)?
If the semester starts as it is now, we expect the cafeteria and shops to be much more crowded than before. Speaking frankly as a user, if that happens, it will be more realistic to use facilities other than the co-op when I don't have much time. I believe you are aware that the start of the semester (around October 3rd) is one of the deadlines for improving the situation, but do you have a plan for improvement at this point? If the cause of the problem is familiarity or a malfunction, there is room for improvement, but if it is a problem with the machine itself, I think a fundamental solution will be difficult. Only a short time has passed since the problem was discovered, but I would like to hear your thoughts at this point, taking into account the cause and countermeasures.

Please feel free to answer only the parts you are able to answer, so thank you for your consideration

A:

Thank you for always using the University of Tokyo Co-op. We sincerely apologize for the concern caused by the recent change in cash registers. Thank you also for your inquiry. Below are our answers, mainly regarding requests concerning the Central Cafeteria. We sincerely apologize for the delay in our response.
I. Causes 0) We faced the first day of the cash register change without sufficient familiarity and preparation. 1) There was a mistake in changing the UI of the cash register operation screen (the order in which the food menus are displayed). Previously, the cash registers operated with menu screens on the cash register panel that were specific to each cafeteria. In the Central Cafeteria, the initial default standard delivery screen was used during the change, and the number of steps required to call up menus has increased significantly. 2) After payment at the cash register, there is a time lag due to the panel operation required to welcome the next customer. Multiple button operations that were not necessary with the previous cash registers have been added, causing time lag and stress. 3) This is due to a time lag when linking the cash register to the Stella terminal (multi-payment terminal) and the specification that requires credit card PIN entry.　
II. Regarding countermeasures: 1) We will be changing from a standard screen to a UI that is uniquely reorganized for each cafeteria, which is expected to improve screen operation. 2) A system specification change is planned that will automatically transition to the initial screen after payment at the register. 3) Credit card PIN entry will be disabled up to a certain amount. There is currently no solution for the time lag between the register and the Stella terminal, as this is a specification issue.
III. Regarding the target date at the start of Semester A: 1) Improvements are expected in the Central Cafeteria during the week of September 12th. 2) We have been informed that due to system specification changes, it will not be possible to meet the October 3rd deadline. 3) A modification will be implemented around September 15th that will eliminate the need for PIN entry up to a certain amount.
In addition, it has been found that payments using cafeteria money and cash payments are relatively faster because they do not require the Stella terminal. We will consider setting up separate registers for cafeteria money and cash only, and measures to encourage the use of cafeteria money. We do not yet have a clear timeframe for returning to the previous level by the start of Semester A, but we will continue to make necessary improvements. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we appreciate your continued support.

Q:

Why switch to an app when the previous payment method using transportation IC cards for the cafeteria pass was perfectly convenient? Problems include the need for a smartphone, the requirement for multiple registrations and logins within the app, poor signal reception at the Hongo Central Cafeteria, and the need to launch the app before payment. It is unnatural to require a smartphone for the cafeteria pass, which should have been usable with just a deposit and a certain amount of money added to the pass. Furthermore, the transition was carried out unilaterally and rapidly without any consideration of student opinions, which can only be described as a disregard for users. Secondly, there is the requirement for multiple logins within the app. Since students are already registered for the cafeteria pass, further registration and logins should be unnecessary, and it feels like an unnecessarily complicated process is being demanded. Thirdly, due to structural issues, the signal reception at the Hongo Central Cafeteria is poor, and even if the university's wireless network is used, congestion is expected during peak hours. Finally, it is possible that the checkout process will become more complicated. Using the app requires multiple steps, including unlocking the smartphone, logging in, selecting payment options, and choosing a cafeteria pass. This is expected to make the already crowded cafeteria even more congested during peak hours, despite the one-touch cafeteria pass system.
We would like an explanation as to why this negative change, which no student has requested, was implemented. Ideally, we would like to revert to the system using transportation IC cards.

A:

Thank you for your continued patronage of the Co-op. Thank you for your comment. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the transition from Gakushoku Pass to Gakushoku Money. The Gakushoku Pass system was linked to a POS register (manufactured by Toshiba TEC) that was used jointly by not only the University of Tokyo Co-op but also many other university co-ops in the Tokyo area. As part of a major system overhaul across the nationwide university co-op group, including the Tokyo area, the registers will also be changed. The Gakushoku Pass system, which was previously only used in the Tokyo area, has also been updated to a smartphone app: Gakushoku Money. We apologize for the inconvenience this system will cause our members. While the transition from Gakushoku Pass to Gakushoku Money is due to the nationwide system overhaul, all previous features (cashless use at co-op cafeterias, limited use for eating in, and viewing usage history and nutrition information on your personal page) will remain the same. In the future, we plan to implement point rewards for individual items, events, fairs, and other events. Additionally, the Co-op sells food items such as lunch boxes and drinks not only in the cafeteria but also in the store, but after the transition to the cafeteria money system, the scope of use has been expanded to include food items at the store. By promoting the spread of use between the cafeteria and the store, we hope to alleviate congestion as much as possible. Finally, we would like to individually consult and provide support to members who do not have smartphones but currently use the cafeteria pass. From a system perspective, we believe it is necessary to consider using and paying via methods other than smartphones. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the system changeover. We appreciate your continued support

Q:

Regarding checking your balance after transferring from Gakushoku Pass to the app

I still can't check my previous balance on the app, but I wonder if I'll be able to check it from the "Payment" section on September 1st. My balance isn't displayed on my Univcoop My Portal, so I'm worried about how to check it

A:

The final remaining balance of your Gakushoku Pass up until August 21st can currently be viewed on the traditional Gakushoku Pass My Page. As of August 22nd, the payment service for the Gakushoku Pass has been suspended, so please rest assured that there will be no changes to your remaining balance. The remaining balance will be transferred via the system, and you will be able to check it by logging in from September 1st using the "Payment" button. Please be aware that there has been a delay in providing information on payment and deposit methods and history confirmation

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We will notify you via in-app notifications before you can start using the service, so please wait a little longer