Dear Editor:

Is the university’s requirement of the freshmen to purchase a meal plan more beneficial to the students or Sodexho?

One of the first expenses for a freshmen is writing a $1000 check for a meal plan just for his or her first semester. Each meal averages to be the same, if not more than dining off campus.

The high cost is not the only issue. The quality of the food is also in question. Someone who is looking for a healthy diet will not find it in the cafeteria, unless they want a strict diet of salads and wheat sandwiches.

Hours of operation pose as an inconvenience for students as well. Any student who participates in sports or other extra-curricular activities are restricted to a small window of time to eat.

Breakfast food and hours are the most reasonable out of all the meals.

Lunch to go cost $.33 for someone who may not have time to eat during the available hours.

Supper starts at 4:30 p.m. when most people are just waking from their afternoon nap, much less ready to eat supper. If you can make it in before they shut the doors at 7 p.m. (6 p.m. on the weekends), you may still have time to grab some Chicken a La King!

Kristin Wiseman is a sophomore Communications major from Franklin.