In response to “On-campus students displeased with meal plans” in Feb. 6 edition of the Technician.   This fall we had 8,600 meal plan holders: an all-time high for University Dining. Over the past four years, we have had a steady climb in participants–1,100, in fact, as we have improved our offerings, introduced more locations and options and extended our hours to meet the needs of our students.   Here is what’s really interesting: of the 8,600 students on meal plans, roughly 4,800 are upperclassmen or off-campus students who were not required to have a plan, a testament to the popularity of our program. We try our best to make our meal plans a clear value and easy choice to make.    While we appreciate there will always be students who do not want or need a meal plan, the facts suggest we have a significant number of students who find it valuable. We have one of the most affordable and flexible programs amongst our peer institutions, and we take great pride in our ability to provide options appealing to a wide variety of tastes, including those who are looking for healthy options.   Jennifer Gilmore Marketing and Communication manager for Campus Enterprises