To: Members of the Student Council Executive Board
Participants in the Clark University Meal Plan
From: Paul Coute / Stu Gerhardt
Subject: Response to 97Y-194S-01 Resolution on the Changes in the Dining Services Meal Plan
It has always been the goal of Clark University, its Business Manager and the Dining Services Management to include as many customers in the planning and delivery of the dining services offered at Clark and to offer those services at the lowest possible cost to the students. We applaud the direction taken by the Undergraduate Student Council to establish a committee to assist us in that endeavor.
Last year, frequent meetings of the Business Insight / Dining Services Committee provided input and immediate changes to the dining services menus. Based on the Dining Service Committee comments and results of several focus group meetings, Student Life and Dining Services surveys, the new plan in place today was proposed. The proposed plan changes were reviewed by the Dining Services Committee and other members of Clark’s staff. A letter was sent out to incoming students and information concerning the meal plan offerings was posted to the Dining Services Website and a basic description was put in the Student Fall Bill Guide to inform parents and students of meal plan characteristics.
The plans in place today were designed to maintain a no-profit meal plan to the University and a small return on investment to Sodexho, the Dining Service provider. The cost to the student was a large consideration, in addition to improved dining opportunities for the student, compared to the previous plans. (Please see attached Meal Plan Price Comparison to other schools and Meal Plan Comparisons to last years plans.)
We have heard the current feedback to the changes and will work actively with the Undergraduate Student Council and Dining Services Committee to consider additional plans in the future that will reflect the changes and options requested. These new plans will be priced according to the features offered.
We also ask that you participate and provide feedback in helping us provide a meal plan that meets your needs. We would like to thank all of the students who participated in the open forum regarding meal plan options. We have developed this document based on your input and thoughtful presentation of the issues. We have generalized the questions to represent the similar questions asked during the forum and other questions previously raised.
Why can I not swipe more that once a meal period and use the meals when I want?
During an initial meeting with the Student Council Executive Board Clark Dining Services made the decision to open up the meal hours in Higgins Café to allow for dining from 7 AM- 8 PM without restriction. This allows the meal plan holder to enjoy unlimited access to Higgins Cafe up to the amount of meals per week on the meal plan purchased.
If the meal plan is for the semester, why can I not use my meal plan during breaks?
One of the issues we heard through the Dining Service survey process last spring was that there was no meal plan option during break periods. Clark Dining Service has made the decision to serve Brunch daily in Higgins Café during Spring Break to all meal plan participants who remain on campus.
If I forget my Clark ID I can not eat a meal without going back to my room and getting the ID, shouldn’t my friend have the ability to swipe me in and I can return the favor next time we go to eat?
We understand that from time to time a student will forget or lose their meal card. Clark Dining Service has a procedure in place that allows students to eat in the café without their meal card. You simply need to give the cashier your identification number and we will register your attendance, allowing you access to the cafe. We hope that this process will be limited to one or two times a semester and that lost cards will be reported and replaced at the OneCard office at the earliest available time.
My class schedule does not coincide with the meal periods, why can I not use the meal plan swipe after 8 PM?
We understand that everyone has busy schedules and that class, labs, athletic team events, health issues, or religious issues may get in the way of enjoying a meal during our regular hours. Clark Dining Services is open to collaboration with individuals or team coaches on such issues and will gladly prepare a “to go” option or work outside the meal hours to assure that everyone has the opportunity to utilize all of their dining opportunities throughout the week. If you do have a schedule conflict, please see the Dining Services General Manager, Stu Gerhardt to make appropriate arrangements.
I am an athlete and I eat less meals when I practice, why can’t I use the meals I do not eat later in the semester when I may eat more that 3 meals per day?
Clark Dining is committed to providing a Registered Dietitian to speak with athletic teams or work with individual athletes so they can maximize their potential within the guidelines of the varied dining options.
What do I really buy when I buy a meal plan?
You are purchasing a service that will provide meals for you, the purchaser, throughout the semester. The meal plan is not designed, nor priced, such that missed meal opportunities can be transferred to others. Allowing students to do so on an unlimited basis, as was requested at the forum, would result in a very significant cost increase which would be adverse to the interests of most students and their parents.
Why can’t we have a healthy beverage option for a meal swap in the Bistro?
The Dining Service team is looking into options and should have an expanded line available by October 6th.
Why can’t we have the old meal plans back?
Current plans were developed to address the considerations raised by students last year. We will again work with a broad cohort of students to design an additional meal plan option with greater flexibility that will be introduced in the future. This plan will be priced according to the options included in the plan.
Again, we thank you for your input and feel that this collaboration will ensure a dining program the Clark University Student Body can be proud of.
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