Campus dining sees change for the better since senate condemnation
Campus dining services now awaiting SGA action to back language in "blistering resolution"
Michael Rivers
Issue date: 10/20/04 Section: News
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A month after the Student Government Association's resolution condemning the service offered by Aramark Food Services, Chairman of the ad hoc Food Service Committee and SGA Sen. Kujo Stewart said he has seen some improvements but contends that there are still some improvements that need to be made. However, Campus Dining Director Karen Ashford and Dean of Student Services Toby Osburn said they are still awaiting contact and discussion with SGA concerning the direction that Aramark can take to further meet student needs, a month after what Osburn called a "blistering resolution."
"They are requiring more money but giving fewer options," said Stewart, referring to the hike in the minimum meal plans for the 1,100 students who live on campus, which has not resulted in better quality food service. And freshmen have the worst end of the deal because they can only use their meal plans in the Cowboy Café, said Stewart.
However, Stewart was able to cite some improvements Aramark has made since the resolution, including Aramark's keeping Tortilla Fresca open until 6:30 p.m., which is its scheduled time to close, and the Hitchin' Post's offering various sandwiches and roll-ups, and Aramark seems to have more employees, according to Stewart.
"Those may not be direct concessions, but I am proud of what Aramark and the administration have done," said Stewart, "but there's still a lot of work to be done. ... I want to see faster, more efficient food service and more options."
These improvements have been and are continuing to be made, some as a result of the resolution's complaints and some not, according to Ashford. The breakfast time for the cafeteria has been extended to 9:30 a.m., which took effect at the beginning of this school year. This was done "to accommodate students with later classes," said Ashford.
Another improvement, not necessarily in response to the SGA's resolution, is staffing readjustments that have moved stronger employees to areas in which they would be more useful and able to handle larger groups of people to improve overall speed and service, according to Ashford.
"They are requiring more money but giving fewer options," said Stewart, referring to the hike in the minimum meal plans for the 1,100 students who live on campus, which has not resulted in better quality food service. And freshmen have the worst end of the deal because they can only use their meal plans in the Cowboy Café, said Stewart.
However, Stewart was able to cite some improvements Aramark has made since the resolution, including Aramark's keeping Tortilla Fresca open until 6:30 p.m., which is its scheduled time to close, and the Hitchin' Post's offering various sandwiches and roll-ups, and Aramark seems to have more employees, according to Stewart.
"Those may not be direct concessions, but I am proud of what Aramark and the administration have done," said Stewart, "but there's still a lot of work to be done. ... I want to see faster, more efficient food service and more options."
These improvements have been and are continuing to be made, some as a result of the resolution's complaints and some not, according to Ashford. The breakfast time for the cafeteria has been extended to 9:30 a.m., which took effect at the beginning of this school year. This was done "to accommodate students with later classes," said Ashford.
Another improvement, not necessarily in response to the SGA's resolution, is staffing readjustments that have moved stronger employees to areas in which they would be more useful and able to handle larger groups of people to improve overall speed and service, according to Ashford.
