Create a `Flex 10' student meal plan
Student Senate Steering Committee
Trip Foley, chairman
The Student Senate Steering Committee believes that students deserve a new meal plan option, and we have decided to make this the focus of our meeting this week.
The current meal plan allows students to choose either 21 or 14 meals per week in the dining hall. Statistics show, however, that undergraduates on the 21 plan eat an average of 14.9 meals in the dining hall per week, while those choosing the Flex 14 option consume an average of 9.2 meals. Moreover, only 3 percent of students participate in the 21 meal plan.
We believe a new meal plan of approximately 10 meals per week and additional flex points would greatly benefit the student body. In light of this fact, we believe that more detailed information on current consumption would help formulate a meal plan that would appeal to the student body.
One reason that has been cited against a Flex 10 option is that it would conflict with the mission of the University. It has been argued that eating in the dining hall fosters a sense of community, and therefore a decrease in dining hall meals may hurt this community.
We believe, however, that the Notre Dame community transcends the dining hall system. Students eating together at Burger King or Subway feel the same sense of community as do undergraduates in the dining hall. An additional meal plan would also benefit students who may have conflicts with class, work or meetings. Certainly we do not want to diminish the sense of community at Notre Dame. However, a Flex 10 meal plan would simply be a realistic response to the current fact that most students only consume an average of 9.2 meals a week in the dining hall.
Rules forcing students to choose a minimum of 14 meals per week compel a student to pay for meals which he or she may not eat. While we recognize that a new meal plan may have an effect on revenue, it is in the best interest of students that we work to overcome this problem.
We believe a Flex 10 meal option supports the mission and the reality of the University. We hope all parties involved will work with us to realize this goal.
Student Senate Steering Committee
Trip Foley, chairman
Jan. 19, 2003
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