An empty Rathskeller during a mens basketball game
Morgan Kilger/The Bona Venture
BY: ELIZABETH KAMROWSKI, NEWS ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
Students at St. Bonaventure University expressed concern as the Rathskeller stopped accepting meal swipes during men’s basketball games, which left limited late-night dining options.
Amanda Ippolito, a sophomore educational studies major, claims that meal swipes should continue during the basketball games.
“I feel like only accepting cash, credit and flex during those times is not fair to all students,” said Ippolito. “Students shouldn’t have to pay using their own cash or credit since we already pay thousands of dollars for meal plans.”
Ashley Snyder, a triple certificate education major, agrees with Ippolito.
“As a student, [we] pay to have multiple dining options open to use,” said Snyder. “We should not have to use flex, cash, or card during typical hours [that] we are able to use our swipes.”
When visiting the Rathskeller during a men’s basketball game, Nick Prytko, a freshman nursing major, argued that continuing meal swipes increased the busyness of the Rathskeller and made it more of a social gathering space for the games.
“I think if they allowed it [meal swipes] more people would be here watching the games,” said Prytko. “The Hickey sometimes isn’t what we [students] want.”
In response to this change, the Hickey Dining Hall is now open until 10 p.m. during game days. Nicole Clark, general manager of dining services, says that this is to best serve the campus community.
“Together with the university the decision was made to close the Rathskeller on specific days due to student events or certain home men’s basketball games to best service the campus community,” said Clark. “The Hickey is the alternative location during these dates and is open until 10 p.m..”
Ippolito emphasizes that despite the extended hours, the Hickey should not be the only late night dining option after games.
“The Hickey can be convenient especially if you’re looking for healthier options such as the salad bar, but most of the time students don’t enjoy the options left for the night,” said Ippolito.
Snyder claims late-night options at the Hickey are not sufficient for students.
“By the time the basketball games are over, the Hickey is only serving pizza and french fries because they slowly clean up the other open stations,” said Snyder. “Compared to the ‘skeller that has multiple options for students to choose from.”
When dining in the Hickey during a men’s basketball game, Owen Murphy, a freshman cyber security major, said he would prefer to eat in the Rathskeller.
“It’s frustrating because that was the plan originally; we would go to a game and then go to dinner [in the Rathskeller] right afterward,” said Murphy.
Jaisita Norbert, a freshman criminology major, claims there is no reason for meal swipes to be discontinued during basketball games.
“I think that they should let students use their swipes,” said Norbert. “I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t.”
kamrowes23@bonaventure.edu
