The Facts:Avent Ferry Complex and Wood Hall students are not allowed to eat at Case Dining Hall with their meal plans.
Our Opinion:The policy does a disservice to students in those residence halls and presents a problem of inequity for the entire University dining system. Case Dining Hall should be open to all students, not just athletes.
Students in the Avent Ferry Complex and Wood Hall know the burden of long walks north to attend classes and other facilities on campus.As it is, the weight applies when those students want to eat at the dining halls. The closest dining hall to those residence halls, Case Dining Hall, is not available to students in Avent Ferry or Wood, forcing those students to trek the extra distance to Clark Dining Hall.Not only does this policy do a disservice to those students, it reflects poorly on the entire University.Case Hall provides — by its own admission — better quality food that is intended for student athletes.Most students would acknowledge student-athletes’ needs for higher Calorie diets and, perhaps, more accommodation from the University in certain academic areas. But it is a problem when that need overwhelms other students’ basic right to easy dining access.While it is true that most Central Campus students have access to Case during the breakfast, brunch and lunch hours, the thought that only athletes have access to the facility during dinner hours is not only unfair, it borders on prejudice.Student Senate intended to address the issue of Case Dining Hall restrictions at its Wednesday night meeting, but sent the bill back to committee in order to reassess the feasibility of allowing Wood and Avent Ferry students’ access to Case during the breakfast, brunch and lunch periods.When the bill is readdressed in committee and Senate members speak to University Dining — including its director, Randy Lait — the Senate needs to not only solidify the rights of students on the southern parts of campus; it must take the next step.Students in Wood and Avent Ferry must have access to Case, but it should be at all times.In fact, all University students with a dining plan should be able to visit any dining hall at any time. The University has no right, nor place, to take a dining hall supported by the meal plan money of all students and restrict its access to a select group of students.Athletes will also receive preferential treatment, that’s the nature — however flawed — of the University athletic system and its governing body, the NCAA.University Dining should not come into that equation, though. It has a responsibility to all students regardless of athletic talents. The Student Senate University Affairs Committee needs to return a bill recommending the cessation of dining hall zoning altogether and let equity be served. Only then will dining halls truly be forced to realize some sense of parody in food quality and serve students appropriately.
