Dining Hall makes some changes
But will the food get better?
by Faine Greenwood | Llama Ledger Staff
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: News
We've all done it: complained about the dining hall. There's not enough food. The food there is isn't good. There are too few vegan options.
Freshness is an issue. "The food would sit out for hours and get nasty. The salad was generally pretty old," said sophomore Laura Byrne. There's always something.
The school has heard the complaints, and, apparently, acted on them. The week before last, the management of Sodexho, which operates the dining hall and snack bar, brought in Bob Parrinello to oversee the Dining Hall as its new manager.
Why did the school act? "Students, faculty, staff and parents have expressed concerns about the dining service over the past few weeks," said Associate Dean of Student Affairs Bob Graves, "and these concerns, when heard so clearly from many constituencies, are taken seriously."
Director of Administration and Finance Jon McClaren agrees. "We spoke to our colleagues who manage other areas of the college and we all agreed that the management of Sodexho needed to address these concerns," he said.
The Provost's Council met to discuss the topic, and the leadership change was made.
Students want changes, too, especially when it comes to nutrition. "An organic option would be nice," sophomore Curran Dwyer says.
Some students also think the numerous junk food choices should be considered as options. "I'd like to see the junk food go. It's all I eat, and it makes me sick," Pieter G. Van Wassenaer says.
What are the school's goals in making this change? "Student Affairs wants a food service vendor that listens to the needs and wants of the student body, and then responds accordingly," Graves says.
To satisfy this goal, a student advisory committee has been formed that will meet with Parinello before the beginning of fall break. This group is designed to help address student needs and concerns about food service on campus.
What can Simon's Rock students expect from the dining hall in the near future? In a word: improvement. Still, Graves notes that students shouldn't expect too much.
"We are not expecting the food or service one might expect at a grand hotel," he said, "just good nutritious food that is appealing to college students."
Contact the author: fgreenwood@llamaledger.com
Freshness is an issue. "The food would sit out for hours and get nasty. The salad was generally pretty old," said sophomore Laura Byrne. There's always something.
The school has heard the complaints, and, apparently, acted on them. The week before last, the management of Sodexho, which operates the dining hall and snack bar, brought in Bob Parrinello to oversee the Dining Hall as its new manager.
Why did the school act? "Students, faculty, staff and parents have expressed concerns about the dining service over the past few weeks," said Associate Dean of Student Affairs Bob Graves, "and these concerns, when heard so clearly from many constituencies, are taken seriously."
Director of Administration and Finance Jon McClaren agrees. "We spoke to our colleagues who manage other areas of the college and we all agreed that the management of Sodexho needed to address these concerns," he said.
The Provost's Council met to discuss the topic, and the leadership change was made.
Students want changes, too, especially when it comes to nutrition. "An organic option would be nice," sophomore Curran Dwyer says.
Some students also think the numerous junk food choices should be considered as options. "I'd like to see the junk food go. It's all I eat, and it makes me sick," Pieter G. Van Wassenaer says.
What are the school's goals in making this change? "Student Affairs wants a food service vendor that listens to the needs and wants of the student body, and then responds accordingly," Graves says.
To satisfy this goal, a student advisory committee has been formed that will meet with Parinello before the beginning of fall break. This group is designed to help address student needs and concerns about food service on campus.
What can Simon's Rock students expect from the dining hall in the near future? In a word: improvement. Still, Graves notes that students shouldn't expect too much.
"We are not expecting the food or service one might expect at a grand hotel," he said, "just good nutritious food that is appealing to college students."
Contact the author: fgreenwood@llamaledger.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Steve Bohrer
posted 10/03/07 @ 8:35 PM EST
Note: this is a personal comment. It does not reflect my position as a staff member, which is that I am happy to get a free lunch.
Before moving to the Berkshires, I lived in Bar Harbor, ME, home to College of the Atlantic, which is roughly the same scale as Simon's Rock in terms of number of students, although the campus is smaller. (Continued…)
Eden Chubb
posted 11/08/07 @ 3:19 PM EST
Thank the food gods!
It's just too bad this change couldn't take place while I was still going to the Rock... :(
Olivia Spencer
Olivia Spencer
posted 12/08/07 @ 7:52 PM EST
Too bad it's going slowly downhill once more...
Also, what can we do about the "balance, mind, soul, and body" shit that is posted in the dining hall. (Continued…)
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