Between getting rid of our beloved Quarry; even more limited hours at the Caf, the SNAR, the Underground, Biblio-Café, and D-Den; and such long lines regardless of where you go, Dickinson students are immensely frustrated by the dining situation at Dickinson this school year. While we understand the tight situation the pandemic has pushed on everyone, if the school has to provide their students vouchers to local restaurants to eat, there is something very, very wrong. And if any of you have ever worked for food services on campus, it is no surprise to hear about the staff walk outs and staff shortage (between being treated as less than human, and paid even less), it is equally wrong for professors to have to step in to lessen the stress on the staff left over (as much as we love and appreciate them for it). And with rumors of new plans in place to build a second floor on the HUB, it shows that the Dickinson administration does not remotely know how students truly function on campus. Here are some scenarios:

1. The Caf line is long and is absolutely packed, and we are still in a global pandemic, for those of us who are immunocompromised and/or living with immunocompromised individuals the caf is immediately out of the question. So you go to the SNAR for mediocre food at best,

2. You only have an hour between your morning and afternoon classes and forgot to place an order at the SNAR, either you purchase something at the D-Den (which you can't use your meal plan on, only declining balance or student charge) or you go without lunch.

3. You're running from your last class to your evening activity, and all the sudden it's 8pm and you can't go to the Caf and the SNAR is crazy busy, either you wait an extremely long time, you go without food, or hope you have some snacks/food back at your dorm/house. 

4. This is the quality of food you expect to receive: SNAR, salad bar

And knock on wood that construction goes as planned, because if not, these problems will get exponentially worse. (that is, if these rumors are true)

If any of these scenarios sound familiar, you're not alone.

Myself and many of my classmates have been trying to avoid the HUB as much as possible partly due to the pandemic and partly the HUB being insanely packed no matter what time you go. Personally, I have NOT been to the Caf once this year and have only gone to the SNAR once (mediocre pita at best, food poisoning at worst), and used my declining balance to pay for textbooks (apartment flex plan)- I've been making food with my housemates. We would not be so upset if it weren't for wasting money on the meal plan, but what other option do we have when we want to be able to properly fuel our bodies? 

We propose the following:

1. Instead of building another floor onto the HUB, improve the space that's already there. Put that money towards actually paying Dickinson food services staff a better wage that reflects the grueling work they do, long hours they work, and how they are treated. Starting wage should be no less than $10/hour.
2. Allow students to opt out of the meal plan, or provide a stipend for grocery shopping. For the people who are literally not using their meal plan right now, it is a waste of money on top of having to buy groceries. 
3. Bring back more eating options on campus. If the school provided their staff an actual decent wage, the staffing shortage would be less of a problem and would help immensely with the overcrowding situation. 
4. More religious-friendly, ethical, and overall safe eating options

Overall, dining services needs to start changing things for the better and not the worse.