Spring sign-up for University Dining meal plans is underway, which means dining recruiters are out in full force touting improvements for the 2011-12 academic year. Dining not only is introducing new food venues for students, but also it plans to make fundamental changes to the structure of its meal plans.
As a result, the variety and accessibility of food on Grounds will increase. By taking these steps, Dining has responded to students' long-held culinary concerns, and it should use this momentum to continue strengthening its relationship with the student body.
The most significant alteration to Dining's meal plans is the institution of a "meal exchange" program, which will allow students to use their meal swipes in addition to Plus Dollars when purchasing food at a number of on-Grounds retail locations. Although the times at which swipes may be used will be limited, Dining has taken a diverse array of student tastes into consideration.
Accordingly, a selection of combo meals will be offered at individual vendors located within food hubs such as Pavilion XI and The Crossroads. University Dining Marketing Manager Nicole Jackson said the options included in the meal exchange program would range from a cheeseburger and small fountain drink with a side of fries, fruit or macaroni salad at The Grill in Crossroads to an energy bar and smoothie at Fusion in the Pav. She also noted that vegetarian options would be included, such as meat-free quesadillas and veggie burgers at The Grill.
Just as impressive as the food offerings is the way in which Dining listened to students when making upgrades. "It's a comment I've heard every semester: 'Why can't I use a meal swipe at the Pavilion or at Crossroads?'" Jackson said. "It wasn't a direct request from Speak Up UVA or Student Council, but it's something we heard from students when we spoke to them in person and via email." Thus, by merely engaging with students and paying attention to their concerns, Dining was able to craft a practical approach to expanding the choices available to those with meal plans. Moreover, Dining is aiming to make the new options convenient and easy-to-understand for students when they return in the fall. "My job over the summer is to make visual instructions for students so they can immediately see what they will get for a swipe," Jackson said.
Dining is building upon these revisions in other ways, as well. Perhaps most intriguing will be the introduction of four food trucks that will operate on Grounds, primarily in the Amphitheater, during lunch hours. Two of these trucks will be owned by Dining itself, but the other two will be existing Charlottesville vendors. Although Jackson said contract negotiations are still ongoing, the fact that Dining has chosen to incorporate local businesses into its plans demonstrates an awareness of how to use Charlottesville's community resources to benefit students. Apart from being a novelty, the food trucks will offer a dining option for students looking to grab lunch on the go between classes, as well as contracted independent organizations sponsoring events on Grounds.
Other changes include the opening of an Einstein Bros. Bagels in the Engineering School's newly constructed Rice Hall and the conversion of the Shea House from a residential-only dining location to one that will accept meal swipes from all students during lunch hours. Each initiative is praiseworthy, the former because it will add a flagship retail location to the Engineering School and the latter because it will offer students access to a variety of Mediterranean dishes that are distinct from other meals served on Grounds.
As Dining implements these changes, it also should keep working with students to plan for its next wave of improvements. Jackson indicated that Dining already has held preliminary discussions with members of Council about potentially expanding the number of vendors at which students can use Plus Dollars to pay for delivery on Grounds. As they move forward with these endeavors, students and Dining should continue to strive to make the University's menu of options as varied and available as possible.
Read More
CARTER: U.Va. Health owes clarity to transplant patients
By Nathaniel Carter | 3 days agoUnfortunately, this negative press is fully the fault of U.Va. Health — it failed to address significant stakeholder concerns when crafting its justification.
EDITORIAL: Upholding medical amnesty is a collective effort
By Editorial Board | 3 days agoUniversity leadership, Greek life organizations and students themselves must recommit to the safety provided by an effective and knowledgeable use of medical amnesty.
KURTZWEIL: Dockworkers’ unions cannot avoid the threat of automation
By Paul Kurtzweil | 4 days agoInstead of continuing to demand decreased automation, the union should work with the legislature in the hopes of driving investment into the reorganization of the current workforce.
