The engraved detail of St. Bonaventure University’s dining hall
Steven Stutz// The Bona Venture
stutza20@bonaventure.edu
BY: CASSIDEY KAVATHAS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Since the start of the semester, the food committee in collaboration with administrators and Aramark, have worked to improve the student experience with dining.
“It allows the students to have a direct connection between the administration and food service provider, and to really cater towards having that student voice and making sure that the student experience is the best it can be on this campus,” said Connor Raine, Student Government Association President and member of the food committee.
The food committee has been looking into student complaints, making changes and while also preparing for the opening of the Rathskeller next semester.
“We were mainly focused on trying to fix food quality and quality …I think a lot of things changed on that end to be better,” said Kishan Patel, a junior biology major and student member of the food committee. “We started shifting our talks to the the Rathskeller. So what we’re doing right now is coming up with the menus for the Rathskeller like, what they’re going to put down there, how they’re going to sell food and price wise.”
Due to student complaints, the food committee initiated changes in where the pasta station is placed, food quantity placed out, quality of food served, dessert options and line organization around the sandwich station, said Patel. Nicole Clark, Aramark general manager, added that the committee also aided in changes regarding made-to-order options and late night offerings.
“It is my goal to continue to make changes to enhance the dining experience on campus to meet student expectations,” Clark said.
Committee members say the best feedback from students are specifics including date and time.
“The food plan is a vast majority of student experience and so we’re really just trying to hone in on that and just be that option for the students to have their voice heard,” Raine said.
The main thing that Raine and Patel hope to change is the culture that surrounds the Hickey’s food quality.
“In a perfect world, I’d like to change the culture. I think that a lot of it has to do with students not recognizing change and understanding what goes behind it,” Raine said. “The culture is overall comes in as a freshman, that the food is bad and you never seen anything different whether there’s change or not.”
Patel agrees. He hopes these small changes improve the student experience for the next classes of Bonnies.
“For this year in general it’s more gonna be like small changes … like simple things that like we can do right now. But I think what we’re looking at more so as holistically in the future like to build a better environment for students like incoming freshmen next year, and the year after that,” Patel said. “Everyone in the coming years are going to get a better experience at the Hickey then we got.”
Raine hopes to improve the committee further with younger voices.
“We’re trying to make it to all students and allow our younger voices on this campus who are affected by that meal option and do utilize it, are required to have that meal plan have their voices heard,” Raine said.
As focus shifts to the Rathskeller all students are encouraged to participate.
“The opening of the Rathskeller will provide students with an additional place to eat on campus and an expanded late night opportunity. The menu is still in the planning process,” Clark said. “Look for a survey for student feedback in the next few weeks.”
kavathcj20@bonaventure.edu
