A great deal has changed in dining, but as new dining options are offered, needed existing services are being cut.
Accessibility is the biggest continuing problem with dining. The reopening of Summerfields, which was supposed to herald more options and greater availability, has instead been overshadowed by the unexpected closing of the Campus Center after 8:00p.m. on weekdays and all weekend long. By closing the Campus Center, Aramark, which has long had a sullied reputation among students, ruined what could have been an important opportunity to change how its management of dining services on campus is perceived. Summerfields and WeShop cannot replace the role of the Campus Center.
The Campus Center is critical to students because it is the most centrally located dining facility, in close proximity to Olin and Science Libraries. Physical distance is an issue especially for the many students who live on and near Washington Street. Even more importantly, it is the only single spot to get quick, cheap snacks, hot food, and coffee that also has seating space. Summerfields, Weshop, and other dining facilities on campus are not designed to cater to these needs. Summerfields is a restaurant-style facility that does not lend itself to getting a quick snack; Weshop does not have any sit-down space and is more of a campus grocery store than a place to get snack food. MoCon’s high price and lack of on-the-go food also exclude it as an alternative.
In addition, weekend food options need to improve at Summerfields. Serving brunch in the morning and offering more for dinner will fill what is currently a big gap in service. The absence of vegan options on weekends needs to be corrected quickly as well.
Accessibility is the key issue; it can be resolved fairly easily. Summerfields is a very welcome addition to dining options and should be appreciated for its great food and environment. However, its reopening should be a needed expansion to dining services and not an excuse to close other campus facilities.
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