All You Can Eat?

On campus, we don’t have many dining options.

For students on campus (who don’t have the option to cook), the Hornet’s Nest is the “best” option for eating. It is open every day of the week and it is the only dining option that accepts meal plan swipes.

The problem is that the caf hours don’t work for everyone. Hours are limited, especially on the weekends. We have a lot going on from classes to activities and jobs.

Sodexo recently put up a sign banning people from taking food and dishes from the caf. While the part about dishes makes sense, the food shouldn’t matter.

We have to pay for an “all you can eat” cafeteria. Many students feel rushed to eat between classes so they turn to Buzzcotti or HX. But if they have little to no dining dollars, they’re out of luck.

If a student comes through the cafeteria to grab what may be on the grill that day and take it to go, what’s the problem? The cost of eating food from the cafeteria is already paid for. It’s not like Sodexo is losing money.

I want to get my money’s worth; if I take a piece of fruit to eat in my room later I shouldn’t have to feel guilty or like I’m breaking the rules. We should be able to eat the food that is going to go bad anyway.

People should leave the dishes and cups, obviously. Keeping the dishes in the caf means that new ones don’t have to be ordered as often, and the staff can keep everything stocked during busier times. There is a reason the caf is enclosed.

The cafeteria is the main dining establishment on campus, but it needs to be more accommodating to the needs of students on campus. As students, we need to have options for when and where we eat. The dining services website has a contact page where students can express their concerns over the signs and rules.

Speak up, and let your voice be heard.