While we wait to eat

It is very exciting to see all the construction and renovation happening on campus, especially in the new dining hall. We all know that a brand new dining experience is coming, and we appreciate that the school is investing in a better future for all of us. We also understand that big improvements mean we have to deal with some temporary changes. However, the current dining setup in the field house is more than just an inconvenience. It significantly affects our daily lives. 

The problem isn't just that the way to the dining hall from the classroom or even from the dorm is too far. The real issue is the quality and choice of the food we've lost since the move. The yogurt section, which many students relied on for a healthy and quick meal, is completely gone from lunches and dinners. Vanilla ice cream, a simple comfort food that everyone enjoys, has disappeared. Even the different sauces that made a boring bowl of rice taste better are mostly missing. They were the basics that made our mealtime something we could count on. 

Some might say that this situation is only temporary. But for us, this “temporary” period will last for many months, which is a huge part of our school year. It feels like all the planning went into the new building, but little thought went into how students would actually eat and live during this time. For the students who live on campus, we can't just go home for dinner. The dining hall is pretty much our only option, and when the options are so limited, it affects our health, our happiness, and our ability to focus. 

We know the field house isn't a real kitchen, but we believe there are some simple solutions. Is it truly impossible to bring in another food section for yogurt? Can vanilla flavor just be added in for an ice cream machine? Surely, providing a few more bottles of sauce is an easy fix. We are asking the school to get creative and show that they care about our experience now, not just in the future. 

The opening of the new dining hall is something we are all thrilled about. But we need the school to remember that we are living and learning here today. Please don't let our well-being get lost in the construction. Let's make sure that while a new building is going up, our school spirit doesn't go down.