Since the start of the 2022 Fall Semester, Lesley’s Dining Service Website has stated: 

“With White Hall closed for renovations, Lesley is building and expanding Ava’s Café to offer more food stations and expanded dining hours on the Doble Campus. Unfortunately, due to construction delays, this space will not be ready for dining when students return and is targeted to be completed by the middle of September. The Student Center is also getting a facelift with new carpet, layout, and furniture. The new look will be ready by mid-October for Family and Friends Weekend. While the work in Ava’s Café is being completed, we will set up a grab-n-go meal area in Marran Gallery, which is right next door. We will offer prepared meals, salads, sandwiches, desserts, beverages, and snacks in Marran on the same schedule as we are planning for Ava’s once it reopens.”

As of the publication of this petition (9/23/22), Ava’s Cafe has not been reopened and does not appear to be opening anytime soon. The Grab-and-Go station in Marran Gallery remains the only food option available on Doble Campus– serving microwavable meals that are edible at best. These meal options rarely change and frequently run out. For students with dietary restrictions, there may be only one meal offering available. For example, a gluten-free, vegetarian student can only eat the Gluten Free Penne Alla Vodka. Would you pay $3,800 to eat that everyday?*

This state of food insecurity is unacceptable for a university that requires residential students to enroll in a meal plan. See demands below. 

Our Demands:

1. A statement from the University detailing their acknowledgement of this petition and their plans to meet the subsequent demands by 9/30/22

2. 19 hot meals a week, as promised by the meal plan required for on-campus students, served on Doble Campus (breakfast, lunch, and dinner on weekdays, brunch and dinner on weekends) by 10/14/22

3. Full meal plan refunds ($3,800) to students on Doble Campus if hot meals are not available by 10/14/22

4. Meals at Marran Gallery that accommodate for any and every dietary restriction our students need until hot meals are served on Doble Campus

5. Consistent shuttle service both on the weekdays and weekends 

*While we acknowledge that the renovation of White Hall Dining and Ava's Cafe must be challenging in the face of delays furthered by COVID-19, as a powerful institution it is Lesley University's responsibility to make sure the needs of their students are met.