In case you didn’t already know, the food at Ohio Northern
University isn’t very popular. In fact, we were voted number 373 out of 377
schools in Princeton Review’s survey in 2012. When this publication came out,
it was really no surprise to anyone on campus.
It would seem that the student body is not being heard. We
complain there aren’t enough options and the options we do have aren’t healthy.
However, the changes that are being made in Mac, White Bear and Northern on
Main aren’t satisfying our needs.
Just in the past four years, a few changes have been made.
White Bear now offers Pastabilities, but have fun waiting in line for at least
thirty minutes. Northern on Main has added a few menu items, but make sure you
bring at least $10 for a meal. Also, there are now options to choose a meal plan. However, all of the plans are still overpriced, and there isn’t an option
below $5,200.
Students are noticing the effort to enhance the food service, but we are still
unsatisfied. When my class had a discussion with food services, we were told
ONU doesn’t have the budget for fresh fruit. I still find this impossible to
believe when students are paying around $5,500 a year for food. That is close
to what my family of four spends on food! How could we possibly not have enough
money for fruit?
My class was also told that the meals offered at Mac were
healthy as long as you portioned correctly. I find that extremely difficult to
believe considering all of the offerings are processed and packed with
calories. It would seem they are in denial of the terrible selections.
Dining service needs to take ownership of the meals they
serve, and make changes that will significantly impact our health. We need
healthy students, athletes and humans. You simply can’t do well in class or in
sports when your menu consists of chicken nuggets, burgers and shakes.
I am challenging food services to really listen to the
students instead of fighting against us. By simply working with us, ONU can
have a happier and healthier student body. Own up to the mistakes that have
been made, and work hard to get the food we want and deserve.
Meredith,
ReplyDeleteThis post is some great insight on food services here at ONU. I, too, think the meal plan offered to students is ridiculous. I am under the Greek meal plan here, but I would much rather not have a meal plan at all. The meals offered at Mac are processed and not all that satisfying and I would rather just make my own food. It is also super expensive and considering the fact that most students don't use their meal plans as often as they should, a waste of money.
Meredith,
ReplyDeleteI love Ohio Northern University, but it seems there are some things ONU just can't get right and food is certainly one of them. As you noted, ONU has attempted to improve its dining experience over the years, but it has not succeeded. It's almost as if dining services is not listening to its target audience here on campus. ONU says eating in Mac is healthy as long as you eat the right sized portions, but that's not the way student perceive their dining experience. There is a strong disconnect between what ONU stays and believes about its dining options and what students actually believe to be true. ONU has needed to over come this problem for years, and it sounds like there is not much hope in sight considering the feedback you received from food services.