Last year, the WSA passed a plan that would allow meal points to be used off-campus. Following months of controversy and protest, the plan was shut down. Now, in the latest example of things being fixed in unacceptable and illogical ways, students can use their WesIDs to purchase food and other products in Middletown with the Wescard program. This new plan is not what the students asked for last year, nor is it what we need. Yes, it allows students to eat off campus. Unfortunately, in its quest for convenience the card simply duplicates the functions of the debit and credit cards many students carry with them already. Furthermore, because students are still required to sign up for meal plans or the all-points plan, it does not make any more financial sense to buy things off-campus with the Wescard than it does using cash. The program does provide parents more control over how their children spend money, as the Wescard cannot purchase cigarettes or alcohol. This is not what the student body envisioned when it was told about off-campus dining.
The two most useful aspects of the Wescard, the ability to use it for laundry and photocopies, have not even been implemented yet. These primary conveniences of the card should have been pursued and set up in advance of soliciting businesses for their support. As is, students still have MacGray cards, copy cards and their WesIDs.
Food is a constant complaint for students on campus. It was admirable for the WSA to try to find new ways for students to enjoy a greater variety of dining options. But once the initial idea of off-campus dining faced challenges from on-campus workers, the plan should have been scuttled, rather than creating a solution for a problem that does not exist.
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