Dear FSA,

It has come to my attention over the year that I have been living on my college campus that some changes are planned for the coming years regarding our meal plans. Even though I am of the generation “obsessed with my phone” and “disconnected” (roughly a bred introvert) this topic seems to be able to hold my focus, and has done so for more than five minutes. I am not eating in way that keeps me well nourished. You may think this is because I am an irresponsible college student who is one alcoholic beverage away from going to the hospital; however, I know even the oblivious partiers on campus relate to me; “I am eating mediocre food at best because I have no other option.” I know what changes are planned, yet, that is about it. Many of the changes have been poorly explained (if at all) and are clearly not considering the people they’re affecting in any way what so ever. You are giving us no context. While you may feel this is not your job, it has become my responsibility to write this letter on behalf of my fellow students. I’ll give you context. I am a nineteen year-old Theater Arts major at SUNY Fredonia who feels I have very little time to eat anyway, let alone eat what's being served. Since I have limited choices regarding my breakfast, lunch, and dinner, out of obligation I assure you I have become very aware of what I’m eating, how much time I have to eat, and where it is coming from. I know that what I am eating is food that is far too processed, greasy, unhealthy, and a hassle for vegetarians and gluten free students. Food that proves corners are being cut. I know that with my schedule it is hard to find time to eat; a class from 9:30-10:50, class from 11:00-11:50, 12:30 to 1:50, and then one from 3:30-6:30 gives little leeway. Thus, it will be even more of an issue when the places that provide food will be closing earlier. I also know of students who participate in activities, sports, rehearsals, extra lessons, on campus jobs, and internships. Imagine having a schedule like mine then throwing one or several of these on top of it. Finally, I know that my food on campus is coming from a company that, while I understand is a business, has become so focused on making money it is also considering cutting down our trees for lumber and is sacrificing the well-fair and happiness of the college students who are paying for it to run. This is not just me stealing a plate from the dinning hall or paper from the printer and justifying it because “I’m paying for it.” There is more at stake here.
I know that (or would hope that) you have employees who attended college at some point in their life and know what they had to do to get their degree. I do not have time to sit down at a full meal, no matter how hungry I am sometimes. Instead I have to grab on the go food that is not as healthy as a meal here should be. My schedule as a college student is no schedule at all, very different from your probable nine to five job. I hope you will listen to me and my peer’s proposals/requests:
1.) Keep the hours the way that they are. We are still disappointed at the quality of food, but I would rather have the option to eat something coming out of a long lecture, practice, or rehearsal than nothing at all.
2.) If you must cut hours to make more money through the dinning-halls make the food worth it. I will run from my buildings if it means I will be getting enough food to nourish me and tastes good. I know that with how many people they have to feed our servers can’t put a lot of tender care in each dish; however, the actual food they have to work with is not their fault.
3.) Do not lower the value of our meals in dollars if you are also going to make meal plans more expensive. Keeping track of the money you have, or don’t have, in college is stressful enough for students and parents.
4.) If you are changing the ratio of meals to points in a plan, make both available at all locations where we can get food.
5.) Consider who you’re feeding. Not only are we busy people, some of us cannot eat meat or gluten for either ethical or health reasons. I also know of students who have both gained or lost weight in an unhealthy amount of time do to the food quality.
I know you are not living the lives of everyone on this campus. That is not your fault any more than it isn’t mine for not living in your shoes. However, there seems to be no regard for anyone else; I am a college student who still remembers the golden rule from kindergarten, a rule you seem to be forgetting. If you are going to treat us this way we will cut corners for you. We’ll buy more groceries and smartly budget with healthier produce (you can make a sliced tomato, lunch meat, or cheese last a lot longer than a microwave meal provided by FSA). We will find a way to still use the cheaper means on campus such as our Convenience store and Starbucks/Tim Horton’s for food if it means your plan will backfire. You will have to continue to adjust the hours, limiting us until it becomes completely ludicrous. I dare you. I will keep throwing out the terrible eggs and vegetables if it reminds you that your money is being wasted; it’s ending up in the garbage anyway.

If you really think you’re justified in your plans and can explain them to us proving we are not getting shafted I dare you to do something else; send out a few of your employees to come eat with me and my friends for a week. We would love to have you. Eat my breakfast, lunch, and dinner during my typical day then tell me this is an overreaction.
If you admit that what you’re doing is a complete disregard to the students and go through with the changes anyway, then, you are shooting yourselves in the foot and I am not coming over to help you by paying your medical bills with money that is going toward my future. I trust none of my fellow students will either. We aren't the Blue Devils for nothing.

Sincerely, from the bottom of my heart,
Kirsten Soos