Students provide input on surveys, Dining Services

Three students and four senators attended the open forum hosted by Student Senate President Katrina Hurley Thursday to discuss Dining Services and student surveys.

Hurley asked attendees their opinions on having one of Dining Service’s food options over breaks with meal plans. She suggested having a dining option open during select times over breaks. Suggestions from students included opening the C-Store over break or offering to-go meal bags. Hurley said a survey would be sent to students so Senate can see how many students would like a dining option during breaks. Dining Services will not be open over midterm break Monday and Tuesday but Hurley said Senate will work toward offering dining options during Fall and Winter Breaks if students request it.

Community food banks are available during breaks but students and Hurley said a meal plan option would work well.

Hurley said Tracy Shuck, Dining Services director, said a lot of food is being thrown away in the cafeteria because not as many students are eating there. Student feedback included that the food isn’t good, the lines are long, and the food offered doesn’t always align with the menu.

Another concern was a lack of trash cans around campus and in the dorms. Sen. Mikayla Gallagher said there aren’t trash cans on each floor in the dorms and she talked to RLA about the issue. Hurley said she could give the issue to the Campus Improvement Committee to look further into addressing the complaint.

Students also commented on the student surveys sent out to evaluate professors’ performance each semester. Students say the surveys come at the worst time during the semester and they usually don’t fill out the comments section of the survey unless they don’t like the teacher. Students said they appreciated the multiple choice questions because they can get it done quickly. Some classes offer rewards or credit for completing the survey, and Hurley said she would like to talk to administration to see if there would be a possibility for an iPad drawing for those who do complete the survey. There are also concerns with small classes of less than 10 students. Students worry that the teachers can figure out which student comments in the survey.