University Services held two food service town hall meetings on Tuesday to provide an opportunity for students to discuss dining preferences and desires for food service on campus.
Students were given 15 questions at the meeting and then offered their feedback to a University Services representative.
"I would like to see dining services expand to different areas on campus, such as near the Architecture Building," technology junior Jennifer Kilburn said. "I don’t think about going to eat at the dining halls, because they are so far away from where I am on campus the majority of the day."
Many residents of Cambridge Oaks Apartments said they did not know dining halls were available to on-campus residents besides students at dorms.
"If dining halls were advertised to students when they sign a lease at an on-campus apartment, students would be more likely to eat at them," mechanical engineering graduate student Michael Bombulie said.
Preliminary results show students are satisfied overall with dining services on campus, but according to University Services officials, they have voiced concerns in areas such as the selection of food, waiting in line and decor.
"Students think that Oberholtzer dining hall’s lines move quicker than the lines at Moody Towers dining hall," Maria Honey, auxiliary customer service coordinator, said. "They also expressed a need for more of a food selection, in particular, mashed potatoes."
Students at both of the meetings said they would like to see Cougar spirit in the dining halls.
"Many students would like the dining halls to have red and white decor with pictures of Shasta on the walls," Honey said.
University Services officials said their goal is to act as an advocate for students on certain campus issues, such as the dining halls and retail areas.
"The retail areas have grown on campus within the last few years, and students have said they would like other venues as well," Honey said.
Kilburn suggested a grocery store would be a great addition to the campus.
"Students who live in campus apartments with kitchens wouldn’t have to go very far for groceries, and it would probably be safer," Kilburn said.
University Services officials said they were pleased with the turnout on Tuesday of 44 students at Oberholtzer dining hall.
"The attendance shows us that students care about the facilities on campus, and they would like to have their opinions and concerns known," Honey said.
Town hall meetings will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at the Moody Towers Dining Hall and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Cullen Oaks Community Center.
For more information, contact Maria Honey at (713) 743-8940 or [email protected].
