Spring Break
Food for thought: Progress is slow but steady
Editorial Board
Issue date: 10/24/08 Section: Ed-Op
Every freshman that comes to Drexel hears about the University's grand schemes to improve student life.
Unfortunately, few students get to experience significant change before the end of their time at Drexel. They weather construction noise and blockades, only to leave before new buildings are complete; they stomach freshman year at "the Hans," and for the next three or four years choose to eat off campus or at lunch trucks because there are few palatable, affordable dining options on campus.
However, Drexel has begun to recognize that many of their plans to improve food services are just long-term solutions, and they are taking steps to give students more options in the meantime.
Last week, we learned that students will now have access to a shuttle bus that will take them to both Fresh Grocer and Trader Joe's. This is an initial measure, giving current students greater access to off-campus sources for meals. A few positive changes have also been made to on-campus dining options this year, including Take 3 and AFC Sushi offerings, and the University has recently announced further plans.
At an open forum Oct. 21 Senior Vice President Jim Tucker and other representatives for Student Life and Administrative Services spoke about the University's plans to partner with Sodexho and spend $5 million improving campus dining services.
The proposal calls for the addition of a variety of new retail dining facilities, including a Panda Express, Currito and Chick-fil-A at Kelly Hall; a Taco Bell Express at Hagerty Library; a Starbucks in Ross Commons; and a Jamba Juice in the new Recreation Center.
These new facilities are slated for completion throughout the 2009-10 school year.
It is our hope that the University sticks to this aggressive timeline and continues to offer interim rewards for those students who will not be around to see these plans come to fruition.
Unfortunately, few students get to experience significant change before the end of their time at Drexel. They weather construction noise and blockades, only to leave before new buildings are complete; they stomach freshman year at "the Hans," and for the next three or four years choose to eat off campus or at lunch trucks because there are few palatable, affordable dining options on campus.
However, Drexel has begun to recognize that many of their plans to improve food services are just long-term solutions, and they are taking steps to give students more options in the meantime.
Last week, we learned that students will now have access to a shuttle bus that will take them to both Fresh Grocer and Trader Joe's. This is an initial measure, giving current students greater access to off-campus sources for meals. A few positive changes have also been made to on-campus dining options this year, including Take 3 and AFC Sushi offerings, and the University has recently announced further plans.
At an open forum Oct. 21 Senior Vice President Jim Tucker and other representatives for Student Life and Administrative Services spoke about the University's plans to partner with Sodexho and spend $5 million improving campus dining services.
The proposal calls for the addition of a variety of new retail dining facilities, including a Panda Express, Currito and Chick-fil-A at Kelly Hall; a Taco Bell Express at Hagerty Library; a Starbucks in Ross Commons; and a Jamba Juice in the new Recreation Center.
These new facilities are slated for completion throughout the 2009-10 school year.
It is our hope that the University sticks to this aggressive timeline and continues to offer interim rewards for those students who will not be around to see these plans come to fruition.
Be the first to comment on this story