The Dining Committee had its first meeting of the academic year on Tuesday to address student concerns and find ways to improve the dining experience for the campus community.
Among the issues discussed were the major problems of lines, labeling and limited vegan options. As a result of this meeting, Bon Appétit and University staff have pledged to address many specific concerns raised, including putting a microwave in Summerfields, maintaining accurate and updated online menus, improving the dessert selection, and propping open the doors leading from the Marketplace.
The Dining Committee plans to meet weekly.
“The Bon Appétit representatives were receptive to student concerns, but there is still a great deal of room for improvement,” said Chair of the Student Affairs Committee (SAC) Mike Pernick ’10. “Everybody has problems with the new dining experience, but I think we will see definite changes as the Dining Committee continues to address students’ concerns.”
Issues regarding workers’ benefits, salaries, staffing and union representation were briefly discussed at the meeting. These issues will be addressed in-depth at the WSA general assembly meeting this Sunday, which we strongly encourage all concerned students to attend.
“We are eager to hear student concerns, and I strongly encourage students to contact us with their suggestions,” said Becky Weiss ’10, chair of the Finances and Facilities Committee (FiFaC). “The purpose of the Dining Committee is to solve problems that students have with Wesleyan’s food service.”
The Dining Committee is composed of representatives from the WSA, the Union Student-Labor Action Committee (USLAC), the Environmental Organizers’ Network (EON), Bon Appétit, and the administration. Tuesday’s meeting was co-chaired by Weiss and Bon Appétit Marketing Director Sarah McGowan. Also present were Pernick, Dean Rick Culliton, Bon Appétit General Manager Delmar Crim, Bon Appétit dietician Missy Davis, EON representative Tressa Eaton ’09, and USLAC representative Ellie Wiener ’09.
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