Students shuffle through two lanes of lines, weaving through the Reef cafeteria. They lean against the glass that shields the food from their touch as they mumble their orders. Servers dip their ladles and spatulas into the serving bins and onto stoves, hasty in their delivery.
“How are you today?”
The cashier looks up from entering a meal plan code on his register.
“Wow, you’re the first person to ask me that today.”
Attitudes toward Sodexo employees are often cold or quiet. In the rush to scavenge a meal before an exam or meeting, students neglect their manners. “Pleases” and “thank yous” are rare. Trails of spilled juice lining the countertops are left behind.
“Hey, are you going to chop that fruit?”
The server from a hot food station pauses his scooping of eggs and raises his eyebrows. “If we have time, of course. We’re very busy this morning, as you can see.” He gestures to the line stretching back to salad bar.
“Yea, but will you do it later? Like by 7:30?”
It’s 7:45.
Early Saturday mornings, the Reef is spotless. Tables gleam and chairs are neatly tucked by their corresponding tables. Come evening, trays, cups and spilled food are spread across some tables. Sodexo staff rushes to scrub off the grime as they see students abandon their messes.
A Facebook post by Sodexo employee and freshman Ashley Hibbs brought awareness to the issue of student cleanliness. It read:
“I love my job and I love to make sandwiches/wraps/subs, etc., for all of you, but as a worker I don’t think it is fair to have to stay an extra hour every night, going around picking up trash, trays, and other dishes. This is YOUR cafeteria and some students, not all, are too lazy to bring their dishes to the tray rack. I’m not asking for all Cinderellas, but please just pick up after yourself.”
The result was 18 “Likes.”
After concerns about food quality, Sodexo has responded with a rotating menu, placement of fruit for nutritious options, and has focused efforts on gaining different meal plan options. They have dissolved the part of their contract that allows them to be the exclusive caterers on campus.
Attitudes toward the Reef may be linked to The Crow’s Nest, according to general manager for Sodexo, Louis Duran.
“People read this, pick it up, and go with it,” said Duran, “We try to give students good customer service.”
Sodexo employees are trained to work with students. Rolling eyes and attitudes, said Duran, should not be brought to work and should not be brought home after work. After 11 years with Sodexo, Duran always tries to teach his students something.
Handing a student ID to the cashier, a girl grips her tray and braces to dash off. The card is handed back and cashier smiles as she dashes away.
“Have a nice day.”
Amanda Starling is a sophomore majoring in mass communications and assistant news editor. She can be reached at astarling.mail.usf.edu.
