We the undergraduate student population at Notre Dame are petitioning the university to overhaul the dining experience. We ask that the university consider the following two options: provide a deep discount or find a way to provide a fresher, healthier dining experience. While we recognize the need for updated procedures due to COVID-19, the current experience as it stands in unacceptable at full price.

Currently, the dining halls are serving pre-packaged food. By the time the food is taken from the dining hall, it is no longer fresh. The vegetables are soft and soggy, the meat is cold, and any grain is stale. Perhaps the university could serve fresh food into a container upon request at the serving station to continue to prevent high contact surfaces and provide fresher food.

If the university does not want to change the current dining system, they need to heavily discount the cost of a meal plan. While the addition of 200 flex points is a nice gesture, it simply isn’t feasible to wait in long lines for fast food or Modern Market.