Mel Rising Dawn Cordeiro
New Editor
One of the most important parts of the college experience is the campus dining hall. Donovan Dining has seen many changes this past year, such as additions to the menu, and Mike Ward, the Interim Director of Dining and Retail Food Services, is looking to the student body to provide feedback to these changes.
On Feb. 13, Ward held a town hall meeting regarding potential changes to both the meal plan and the overall layout of the DON. Though nothing is set in stone yet, some of the proposed changes include an “all you care to eat” option, guest meal swipes, adding pizza to the DON, open access/ unlimited meal swipes in the DON and the introduction of allergy kitchens and other moderate renovations.
Students were interested in the “all-you-care-to-eat” style dining, as it would allow students to “graze” at their leisure while only taking what they want, when they want. Though multiple trips will be allowed, the potential amount of food waste is a contributing factor to this style of dining. This type of meal plan will become the standard for residential students, along with the addition of guest meal swipes.
The proposed new meal plan would remove the cap and stop the counting for meals. Through the current meal plan, each meal has a cap at $11 and each student has 17 swipes for the week. Another proposition is to create faculty and staff meal plans. Through these new changes, faculty, staff and even commuter students will have the option of buying a block of meal plans. For example, a block of 25 meals could be purchased for a certain amount of money to be used throughout the semester. It is also likely that these blocks of meals will include flex points.
Some changes to the Beestro will also be seen when we return from spring break. According to Ward, the Beestro is getting new fryer machines, which will be installed during break. This means that chicken wings, mozzarella sticks and French fries will be on the menu.
Other changes that have been proposed is the addition of an on-campus convenience store. The hope is for this store to run like any other convenience store, where students who need to grab items quickly will be able to “grab and go.” Such items will include pre-packaged items, such as on-the-go snacks, sandwiches, soda, water and energy drinks. Flex points can be used for purchases.
In the next year or so, the DON may see renovations. There are a few different proposed floor plans, all which include booth seating and tables for two. This would also include a space for an allergy kitchen, which would be accessed through card access only and will contain allergen-free equipment and items.
The ultimate goal is to improve the dining experience by charging the community: making the DON a “central hub”, reducing time spent waiting in line for cashing out, improving option choices, improving dining experience and easing the burden on the wallet.
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