Students must finalize their meal plans by Friday, but some students are concerned about this decision with the lack of Chick-fil-A as a dining option.
Catherine Maninger, chief financial officer, said the Chick-fil-A is set to open around mid-March.
She said there will be no changes made to meal plans after that date, but university officials are reconsidering meal plans in general.
“The university is soliciting feedback right now as to whether or not there should be changes to the meal plans themselves because of students’ feedback and, obviously, the availability of Chick-fil-A, but any new meal plans aren’t going to be on the table until Fall of 2019,” Maninger said.
Maninger said students should adjust their meal plan decision accordingly, factoring in the arrival of the Chick-fil-A.
Maninger said she’s received positive feedback on other dining options like the newly-added marketplace. She also said there are plans to renovate the Caf, and she encourages students to give their feedback.
Maninger said part of the reason for the lack of construction on the Chick-fil-A is partially due to the current replacement of some boilers and LED lights throughout the campus. Once that project is finished, there will be more time to work on the Chick-fil-A.
“The main emphasis behind that whole upgrade is there’s going to be a tremendous amount of energy saving from the changes that were made, so that will really be good for the university going forward,” she said.
Emily Fruendt, acting freshman, said she feels officials aren’t taking into account how the Chick-fil-A will affect meal plans.
“I don’t think they’re considering the fact that having a new place to eat on campus will drastically change how the students view their meal options,” Fruendt said. “We haven’t had anything but the Caf, and also Alvin’s, since the students enrolled have been on campus.”
Fruendt said she thinks it would be helpful to add leisure-way to meal plans until the new Chick-fil-A opens.
“Honestly, I’m disappointed more than anything in the absence of the Chick-fil-A on campus,” said Kristina Patterson, film sophomore.
Patterson said she’s hoping for a break from the food from the Caf.
“I miss the days of Alvin’s where there were other options for students to eat on campus,” she said. “It’s just disappointing that the Chick-fil-A has yet to come into being here on campus.”
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