Spring Break
Meal plan woes?
Issue date: 1/22/08 Section: Forum
The MU Commons is a popular place for students to grab a meal - but students who live on campus and have a meal plan through University Housing and Dining Services are at a disadvantage.
UHDS works hard at having a variety of options for students and thus far seems to be doing a good job. But the problem arises when students are restricted to using their meal plans exclusively at the dining centers.
Sometimes students just don't want the same old thing and would like to eat with their peers who do not live in the residence halls. As the Barometer reported last Tuesday, students used to be given the choice to eat anywhere on campus while using their meal plans.
At this point, students aren't the only ones feeling the effects - so are the eateries in the MU as well as students who don't live on campus. With many places changing their hours or simply closing on the weekends, all students are at a disadvantage.
School is expensive, and so is housing, on and off campus. Not having the option to eat wherever you wish on campus seems foolish. Students shouldn't have to find a way to get more money - be it by asking parents or finding a job - simply to have the chance to enjoy variety.
On meal plans, students must pay an administrative fee that goes directly to UHDS. It is commonly known that if students could use their meal plans as they see fit, UHDS would be at a disadvantage - but then what is the administration fee for?
In the past, UHDS has lowered its prices to try and deter the feeling of competition between the dining halls and other dining facilities. Clearly the competition is still there, and for the time being, dining facilities around campus are being hurt, but not only because of the current restrictions.
Students are paying to have food on campus, and they should be able to use their meal plans how they want.
It seems there is a desperate need for change, but not just within UHDS. University administrators need to step in and do as they promise - look out for the greater interest of the students.
Of course administrators have been working hard for the good of the students, but this is an area that is being overlooked. A compromise would be good for more than just the students, so doesn't it make sense that we need to make a change?
Students at Oregon State should come together and work toward a solution if they want to be able to use their money as they wish on campus.
Editorials serve as a means for Barometer editors to offer commentary and opinions on issues both global and local, grand in scale or diminutive. The views expressed here are a reflection of the editorial board's majority.
UHDS works hard at having a variety of options for students and thus far seems to be doing a good job. But the problem arises when students are restricted to using their meal plans exclusively at the dining centers.
Sometimes students just don't want the same old thing and would like to eat with their peers who do not live in the residence halls. As the Barometer reported last Tuesday, students used to be given the choice to eat anywhere on campus while using their meal plans.
At this point, students aren't the only ones feeling the effects - so are the eateries in the MU as well as students who don't live on campus. With many places changing their hours or simply closing on the weekends, all students are at a disadvantage.
School is expensive, and so is housing, on and off campus. Not having the option to eat wherever you wish on campus seems foolish. Students shouldn't have to find a way to get more money - be it by asking parents or finding a job - simply to have the chance to enjoy variety.
On meal plans, students must pay an administrative fee that goes directly to UHDS. It is commonly known that if students could use their meal plans as they see fit, UHDS would be at a disadvantage - but then what is the administration fee for?
In the past, UHDS has lowered its prices to try and deter the feeling of competition between the dining halls and other dining facilities. Clearly the competition is still there, and for the time being, dining facilities around campus are being hurt, but not only because of the current restrictions.
Students are paying to have food on campus, and they should be able to use their meal plans how they want.
It seems there is a desperate need for change, but not just within UHDS. University administrators need to step in and do as they promise - look out for the greater interest of the students.
Of course administrators have been working hard for the good of the students, but this is an area that is being overlooked. A compromise would be good for more than just the students, so doesn't it make sense that we need to make a change?
Students at Oregon State should come together and work toward a solution if they want to be able to use their money as they wish on campus.
Editorials serve as a means for Barometer editors to offer commentary and opinions on issues both global and local, grand in scale or diminutive. The views expressed here are a reflection of the editorial board's majority.
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