2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: News
Meal plans don't satisfy students
High prices and limited hours cited in dining hall frustrations
Kathy Wang
After their first year, many students take advantage of the option of not buying a meal plan. Despite six additional, often cheaper options, most students choose not to buy a plan because of costs.
"For kids who live in high rises, buying a meal plan and then being able to cook a lot of food in your kitchen for cheaper just isn't worth it," said Swanson.
Cousart pointed out that many schools don't offer the option of discontinuing a meal plan after freshman year. She also said that Dining Services does its best to respond to students' complaints.
"The meal plans as they come today - with later hours at the dining halls, takeout and Moocher Meals - are the direct result of listening to students," said Cousart, who said Penn Dining constantly seeks student feedback through surveys, focus groups and "secret shopper" programs in which students evaluate particular aspects of dining services.
Students sometimes cite better options offered at peer institutions - Cornell University boasts some of the best chefs, for instance, and the cost of its meal plans are significantly cheaper. Some of the dining halls at Washington University in St. Louis are open as late as 2 a.m.
But for students like Swanson, there is at least one perk to meal plans - being able to eat together with a large group of people. She is on the women's volleyball team and says that dining halls offer a convenient place to eat with her teammates after practice, a benefit many athletes see to the current system.
"For kids who live in high rises, buying a meal plan and then being able to cook a lot of food in your kitchen for cheaper just isn't worth it," said Swanson.
Cousart pointed out that many schools don't offer the option of discontinuing a meal plan after freshman year. She also said that Dining Services does its best to respond to students' complaints.
"The meal plans as they come today - with later hours at the dining halls, takeout and Moocher Meals - are the direct result of listening to students," said Cousart, who said Penn Dining constantly seeks student feedback through surveys, focus groups and "secret shopper" programs in which students evaluate particular aspects of dining services.
Students sometimes cite better options offered at peer institutions - Cornell University boasts some of the best chefs, for instance, and the cost of its meal plans are significantly cheaper. Some of the dining halls at Washington University in St. Louis are open as late as 2 a.m.
But for students like Swanson, there is at least one perk to meal plans - being able to eat together with a large group of people. She is on the women's volleyball team and says that dining halls offer a convenient place to eat with her teammates after practice, a benefit many athletes see to the current system.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 9
Cost Cutter
posted 4/29/08 @ 3:08 PM EST
Maybe they could reduce costs by cutting out some of the extraneous management in the Business Services Division. They could start with Cousart. She's a prime example of bloated inept Penn admin. (Continued…)
Baller 1
posted 4/30/08 @ 7:43 PM EST
I completely agree. Penn administration is bloated by so many extraneous positions; furthermore, the people in these roles barely supervise those they are supposed to lead. (Continued…)
Alum '05
posted 5/01/08 @ 9:22 AM EST
You can complain about the food, but then you can't complain about an increase in cost to better it. We as students seem to complain about both... what's with the entitlement? Eat what is put in front of you, and if not, go to FroGro and make your own meal. (Continued…)
craig
posted 5/01/08 @ 7:40 PM EST
an easy solution would be do drastically cut the number of (horrible dining hall) meals and allow people to spend dining dollars at more places off campus like nyu lets you do. (Continued…)
Suggestion
posted 5/01/08 @ 7:57 PM EST
I think it's fairly reasonable to ask the dining people to offer meal plans that allow students to pay less and receive fewer meals, or to allow them to opt out even freshman year so that they can save the money. (Continued…)
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