In a letter to students about financial changes for the upcoming year at Hood, it was revealed that there would be a new meal plan in place for next year.
Last semester, after the Student Government Association met with Jen Scarborough from the dining hall about changes, the discussion turned to the subject of meal plans. Scarborough revealed that the contract with the college’s food service provider, Aramark, was about to be renewed and that there could be some adjustments made for next year.
The HCSGA executive board had a discussion led by Dean Olivia White about what the ideal meal plans at Hood would look like and said that they wanted to students to have the option to use their meal plans in exchange for certain options at the Blazer. Dean White took the comments and suggestions of HCSGA to Chuck Mann, the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer of Hood College, who made these new meal plans possible.
Mann shared that in 2015, Aramark did a customer satisfaction survey with their students where 47% of students revealed that they would enjoy an unlimited meal plan. 34% of students wanted to keep the same plan in place as last year, which allowed the options of 19, 15 or 10.
After discussions with the HCSGA and members of House Forum, it was decided that the options for both 10 and 15 meals would remain in place, but that the 19 meal option would be replaced with unlimited meal access. The meal plans will also include the ability to exchange a portion of dining hall meals with meals at The Blazer and The Sandwich Shack and this will be done on a sliding scale like the amount of guest swipes included with each meal plan.
Mann said that the plans will all rise in cost, but that there are valid reasons for the price changes. First, the hours of the dining hall will now be open for lunch until 2pm on weekdays and until 8pm for dinner on weekdays.
Mann shared that there has been an increase in food costs that was measured by the Consumer Price Index in 2015 and the USDA 2016 forecast, so there needs to be an increase in money in order to pay for the increase of costs. Finally, there has been an increase in salaries and benefits from the food service contractor that the higher cost will go towards.
Mann said that there is no set plan or timing for changing meal plans and that the administration is always keeping an open ear for student concerns. The change comes directly from the students and trends at other colleges.
The new meal plan will go into effect for the 2016-2017 academic year and is outlined and detailed in the Food and Housing contract on self service.
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