Many students are expressing concern about the new execution of “meal exchange” in Hodson Commons.
The process that allows students to swipe one of their dining hall meals at the alternative meal locations is one of the issues under scrutiny.
Because Mondo Subs and Coyote Jack’s are open throughout the day, students are only allowed to use their meal exchange swipe from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and they may only purchase the day’s “Special Item.”
According to Director of Dining Services Donna Dhue-Wilkins, this is because, “the meal plan is designed for students to eat in the residential dining facility (upstairs), not the retail dining facility (downstairs). This is because of the different labor structures in each facility, as well as food cost.”
When asked about a new meal plan system in preparation for next semester, Dhue-Wilkins said that, “the details are still being worked out.”
Sophomore Emily Simpson said, “I don’t like this system because I think it’s unfair. If I miss a meal at the dining hall and decide to go to Mondo Subs or Coyote Jack’s, I feel like I should be able to choose between the different menu options. At the Cove, we could use meal exchange for anything on the menu, it just seems wrong to change it now.”
Another issue in the new Commons is guest swiping. According to Dhue-Wilkins, no one was ever supposed to allow a student to use one of his meals for a guest or another student. The number of guest swipes a student has depends on the meal plan he has purchased, she said.
Simpson said that, “When guests visit students on campus, chances are they are staying for more than one meal. Until now we have just been using our own meals to accommodate our guests, and if students don’t have a problem with that, I don’t think that Dining Services should, either.”
Despite these minute problems, Dhue-Wilkins said that she believes the college community is “very happy” with the new Hodson Commons. “There are some things people miss,” she said, “but there are a lot more options here and more variety. This is something people have been waiting for for a very long time.”
Simpson said that, “although there are a few problems, overall my experience at the new dining hall has been a good one. As with anything new, it’s just going to take some time getting used to. But I appreciate the college’s effort to supply students with the best options available.”
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