Returning students won’t be able to pick up a Big Mac at the Hub — not yet anyway.

In arguably the biggest issue of the summer, Iowa State officials, faculty and staff toyed with the idea of allowing McDonald’s to open a restaurant in the Hub on central campus.

This newest vending idea arose from a vending contract the university awarded to the Memorial Union in early June, which will now handle all vending services for the university.

One day before the proposed contract was to be finalized by the state Board of Regents, ISU Vice President for Business and Finance Warren Madden announced that university officials had decided to postpone the July 18 vote for that portion of the vending contract.

Two days ago, Madden said why.

“We asked the board to delay any vote. There is a need for campus consultation on this issue,” he said. “We hope to have a vote this fall, but it depends on what comments we receive and how long it takes to settle the issue. This is not a done deal. A final decision will rely on what reaction and comments occur on campus.”

University officials are considering doing a phone survey of ISU students for input.

Several activities may have lead to the postponement, including a July 12 “McHub Protest” and a public forum held July 16 at the Maintenance Shop.

The protest, attended by nearly 200 people, was held on the steps of Beardshear Hall and lasted two hours. The rally gave students, faculty and staff a chance to express their opinions about the issue.

John Scriver and Lucas Rockwell, both graduate students, were the motivation and organization behind the rally.

“Our main grievance is the lack of student, staff or faculty involvement in the increasing commercialization of Iowa-so-called-State University,” Scriver said at the rally.

Just four days after the protest, a public forum was held by the university.

“[McDonald’s] will generate $300,000 a year or more, with half of that support going to student activities,” Madden told the 150 people who attended the forum.

Scriver, who is affiliated with The Drummer newspaper on campus, said another rally is being planned sometime during the first part of the semester.

“If people are interested in becoming a part of the group, they can contact me by e-mail or call The Drummer office,” he said. “There are definitely plans being made.”