By Amrit Brown //
Does Hood College provide a reasonably priced meal plan to students? It turns out that the price per semester of a meal plan is far higher than if students were to just pay the price listed on the online menu for each meal.
The current price listed on the Hood College website is $3,900 for the all-access plan which includes unlimited meal swipes, five weekly meal exchanges and 100 Blazer Bucks. It is $3,500 for the 10 meals plan which also includes three weekly meal exchanges and 200 Blazer Bucks. These prices are both increases from past years.
The Coblentz Dining Hall website does, however, provide prices if someone were to pay on a per-meal basis. Breakfast would be $7.57, lunch would be $9.94 and dinner $11.43. Assuming a student ate three meals a day on weekdays and the two unique meals provided on the weekend every week for the whole semester (not including Thanksgiving break) the student would pay a total of $2,941.16.
Even more curious is the fact that students who reside on campus are required to purchase a meal plan. An option must be chosen on the form that allows students to select housing for the upcoming year.
Some students are not completely on board with the pricing gap. Sophomore Sean Seely was taken aback when he learned about the gap. “[I’m] a little bit upset,” he said.
So where does the extra money students are paying go other than to the Blazer Bucks and meal exchanges that come with the plans?
The Hood College director of business services, Rowela Lascolette, says that the pricing for the meal plan is complex. “It requires a balancing act between the increase in the college’s cost of operations (from Aramark and other vendors), family’s ability to pay for college expense and providing quality service,” she said.
According to Lascolette, the college takes into account the prices of per meal plan costs as well as suggestions from Aramark when setting the price.
It is not, however, strictly business when setting prices. “The college tries to be mindful of the impact of meal plan cost to students and families while being cognizant of rising costs of operations,” Lascolette said.
Lascolette cited several other benefits of the Hood meal plans. “Meal plans offer convenience to students who may be juggling classes, part-time jobs and other social obligations. Having a meal plan allows students not to worry about preparing for food,” she said.
Hood College does provide help for students who may be struggling with food insecurity. One option is the Hood College campus cupboard. The cupboard provides non-perishable foods and basic hygiene to students in need.
The Hood College Hot Plates program is another option for students experiencing food insecurity. The program is in its second semester.
In the program, students can donate meal swipes to students who need them. “The Hood Hot Plates program was created by Dean Johnson to assist with food insecurities that commuter students may face,” Assistant Director of Residence Life LaShawn Taylor said.
The program began in the spring 2024 semester and recently sent out a survey to students asking for donated meal swipes for the fall semester. “This program is a way to help supplement the utilization of the Food Pantry and give students the opportunity to have a hot meal while on campus,” Taylor said.
Students who donate could win a prize through a raffle. Students get one entry into the raffle for every meal swipe donated. According to Taylor the prizes will vary but will include gift cards for Downtown Frederick.
Taylor said that students have already begun to donate. “We have received some donated meal swipes and will continue to encourage students to donate unused meal swipes,” he said.
Taylor believes the program could help develop a better sense of community on campus. “This program is a great way for students to make a positive impact on the lives of other fellow Blazers by helping to build community and address food insecurity,” he said. “We believe that together we can create a supportive environment that reflects our values in the Hood College community.”
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