Starting winter quarter, WWU and Aramark have canceled breakfast and lunch in the Fairhaven Commons, with minimal alternative solutions. We as a community are asking simply for them to reopen Fairhaven Commons for all three meals a day. After closing the Fairhaven Commons for two of three meals a day, three main issues have arisen.

1) Access. Fairhaven and Buchanan Tower residents depend on all three meals being served at Fairhaven Commons, not just dinner. Many students are unable to buy additional groceries to substitute the loss, (especially after having to pay tuition, room & board, etc); others have disabilities that prevent them from being able to get to other dining halls; and even more students have jobs that overlap with the small, 2.5-hour window of time that dinner is being served. Restricting meals hurts so many of us in different ways, and it's irresponsible to allow such disparity in access to multiple communities of students.

2) Cost. WWU and Aramark are eliminating breakfast and lunch simply to save some cash, while we are still forced to pay. The lowest cost option for room and board (80 meals with no dining dollars) costs $3,587. They will not allow students to cancel meal plans entirely. Even if we were able to do so, many of us don't have the ability to get to the grocery store, and the overwhelming majority of us don’t have access to kitchenettes. Once again, we rely on the food being served. We are paying a fortune, many of us having to take out loans and go into debt, with the expectation that we will at least be fed all three meals a day. WWU and Aramark have failed to do so.

3) Rights. The Fairhaven community is asking plainly to have all three meals served to us every day; a very basic need the university had promised then abruptly canceled during finals week after many students had already left. It is unprofessional, and dishonorable when making budget cuts to eliminate a basic right, especially with virtually no notice during a time in which the community is the most stressed.

After receiving a handful of complaints, Western and Aramark have given us three unviable "solutions" that we will not stand for.

1) "Walk to Viking Commons": As unpredictable as our PNW weather is already, this time of year is especially difficult for anyone to get anywhere. Multiple wind advisory warnings have been sent out just this quarter already, and yet they're asking students to risk their safety and well being just to eat a full meal. Not to mention the enormous impact on students with disabilities; it is virtually impossible for such students to be able to walk there and back, again just for a meal they've paid for. To ask us to walk 30-40 mins round trip on uneven pavement in the rain, wind, and snow to be provided something we not only have a basic right to but have paid for, is unrealistic and insulting.

2) "Move to North Campus": We love living in our community, and to ask anyone to "just move" for access to meals is ridiculous, and once again unrealistic. An entire community cannot simply pack up and leave, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even one student moving poses a risk to themselves and everyone around them. And, for all students to eat at one dining hall threatens outbreaks, displacing students further. This is simply not an option.

3) "Eat at the Pod": As a student with numerous dietary restrictions, going to the pod for lunch was infuriating. The "replacement" for breakfast and lunch were two types of sandwiches (neither of which I could eat, and both run out frequently) and one disheartening salad as the vegan option. Aside from this, students are welcome to rows of chips, candy, frozen foods, energy drinks, sodas, and a plethora of other unhealthy options. Even if students were able to buy fresh groceries, our community does not have access to kitchens or cookware, so we are forced to depend on gas station quality snacks.

These three options are unrealistic and improbable, forcing us to act. All we want is for the university to offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Fairhaven Commons. WWU is neglecting the needs of its students. Nothing will change unless this petition gains momentum; unless more people email dining@wwu.edu; and unless we fight for our basic rights. By doing even one of these things, you can help us feed Fairhaven.