The Dining Services Committee will soon reveal new dining options for the 2013-2014 school year, aiming to increase affordability and variety at the Reef.
Sodexo and Student Government representatives met March 21 to discuss accessibility of campus meals. The committee agreed that students needed an incentive to purchase meal plans through the enhancement of current options or an increased variety.
Use of meal plans for fall 2012 was at 41 percent for Gold and 63 percent for Green — meaning a lot of wasted money for students.
Surveys conducted by Sodexo showed that convenience and taste were the top dining priorities for the 167 participating students. They also desired settings similar to Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread and Subway. Over 130 of the 167 students said they’d be willing to spend more on a meal plan if it meant a better dining experience.
Meal plan costs will increase by 3.3 percent next semester as per the contract, despite the university’s 17 percent revenue accrued from Sodexo commission.
“We shouldn’t necessarily have to pay to keep Sodexo profitable while the university is also taking a cut,” said Lazar Anderson, director of SG’s University, Community and Government Relations.
Anderson presented a memorandum for Sodexo to consider for meal plans. Proposed options included a “declining balance” system and an alternative meal plan system with “light” and “premium” options. The light option would run “$250 less than the standard rate.” A premium meal plan would be “$250 more than the standard rate.”
The “declining balance” would include individually priced items. Meal options would be priced like “Shark Bites” and any unused meals would be able to be used at another meal, rather than being skipped. Gold plans would drop from 336 to 330 meals a semester while Green Plans would rise from 110 to 187 meals a semester. Reef meal combos would shift to a standard $6 price plus tax.
“The goal is to make a better deal for the students, not Sodexo,” said Josef Rill, assistant director of auxiliary services.
Sodexo representatives voiced concern over the memorandum, particularly with revenue loss on campus. They said enacting the light and premium meal plan options for 50 students would lead to a $25,000 revenue difference. Regardless, light and premium plans may be considered for spring 2014.
“It’s our second year in this and it’ll take a few years to work out the bugs,” said Heather Klisanin, residence community manager.
New food venues have been proposed for fall 2013, including a WOW Cafe and Wingery in the Coquina Club. The sports bar atmosphere would accept meal plans and Shark Bites. Renovations, a student job fair and training for the restaurant would be all held over the summer. It has also been suggested that Red Mango be replaced with a cafe such as Panera Bread. The proposals have drawn concern for off-campus staples the Tavern and the Grind.
“They have something unique to bring to campus. We don’t want to stomp on [the Tavern and the Grind] but work around them,” said Julie Jakway, of Administrative and Financial Services.
Summer meal plan options will be decided Monday, March 26.
