This semester, Sodexo has implemented a new rule in the cafeteria. You may only enter the dining hall if you use a meal swipe or another form of payment is used. You may no longer sit and socialize with friends unless you are a paying customer.
Prior to winter break, students were able to enter the dining hall whether they were eating or just going to socialize with their friends.
Sodexo had found that some students and guests were entering the dining hall and telling the cashiers that they were not going to eat. They would end up eating and not paying for the food. This was not fair to the students and guests to either paid or used a meal swipe for their meals.
Tracy Eells, the general manager of the dining hall, said that there have been some situations where the cashiers have asked individuals to pay and those individuals have become upset with the request.
“For the most part, everyone has been very understanding. In fact, more guests are choosing to stay and pay versus leave,” said Eells.
Photo by Natalie Fritz
“We no longer have to monitor the guests who say they are only going to sit. This allows our staff more time to meet the needs of our community and to make everyone’s time in Cav’s Corner more enjoyable,” said Eells.
The rule so far seems to be a success from Sodexo’s standpoint. The decision was a result of the partnership between Sodexo and the University.
Not all students are on board with this change though. Some students do not always go to the dining hall because they are hungry. It is a place they go to hang out or socialize with friends.
Some students like to get food from CRU5H and bring it into the caf to be able to eat with their friends. They are no longer able to do that. They do not want to have to pay just to go sit with their friends and socialize though.
Layal Srour was one to purchase food from CRU5H and then bring it into the dining hall so she could sit with her friends. She is now being turned down to enter the caf because she is not paying because she has already purchased food.
“I feel as though it is unfair. I have already purchased my food and have proof that I have purchased it and they are still making me pay if I want to go and sit with my friends to eat,” said Srour, a sophomore communications major.
Students were very shocked by the rule at first and no warning or heads up was given to students before the rule was changed.
There were flyers posted on the doors and entrances as students and guests come through the dining hall informing them about the change.
“Sodexo and Cabrini want everyone to enjoy the on-campus dining experience in Cav’s Corner. If we believe we can achieve this outcome in a fair way, we will reconsider this change,” Eells said.
