Sodexo is implementing changes to the existing meal plan for the 2013-2014 school year based on feedback received from the Dining Advisory Committee from last year.
Students now have a set number of dollars to purchase food, which can be used at four dining locations: the Reef, the Coral Café, World of Wings, and USFSP Sushi.
Students will purchase food through a “declining dollars” system, which allows student to use their plans as frequently as they wish. Previously, students had a set number of meals in which they could eat all they wanted, but only at select times.
“We were not getting the usage from the students that we wanted,” Josef Rill, Assistant Director of Auxiliary Services, said.
The ideas for the changes came from the Dining Advisory Committee, a group of USFSP students and staff members that meets biweekly from September through April.
The Reef will continue to offer the same dining stations, but has tweaked the menu per students’ request. New additions include a soft serve icecream machine, more “Grab and Go” options such as snacks and bottled water and more protein options at the salad bar. Because the Reef will not be the only dining location, Rill said its hours will likely become shorter. However, Dining Services intends for at least one dining option to be open from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.
The second dining location, USFSP Sushi, will be housed within the Reef, next to the wrap station.
“We saw a demand for this demographic,” Rill said, noting the popularity of sushi among college students. The AFC franchise, the vendor Publix uses for their sushi, will serve USFSP students.
The Coral Café will replace the Red Mango, Starbucks products, specialty sandwiches and breakfast options. Last year, this location only accepted purchases made with SharkBites (credit redeemable for a la carte items, rather than full meals) but the new cafe will allow students to use their regular meal plans as well.
The World of Wings, managed by Sodexo, will be located in the Coquina Club. When asked if student organizations will be able to continue bringing their own food to Coquina Club, Rill declined to comment, saying that issue is currently being negotiated with Student Government and is ultimately the decision of the Regional Vice Chancellor.
Despite confusion among some students, Rill said the changes will not affect financial aid usage and meal plan deferments will “absolutely 100 percent” still be awarded to students who qualify. For those who don’t qualify for a deferment, all meal plan payments are due at 5 p.m. on Aug. 30.
