[Parent-Network] Starving even with meal plans

[alfredo at informativepeople.com]

Our daughter is having the opposite problem-not eating enough, as:
a) her MWF schedule leaves little room to eat, between classes, or early in the morning as the grill line is very slow (make to individual order is not a great way to service students on a limited time budget);
b) locals are using the dining facility, competing at times against students for time to be served;
c) the meals do not offer much variety (how frequently is fish being offered, or different types of salad?)

Based on discussions with our daughter, we have the following suggestions for the dining staff:
a) provide materials for students to make sandwiches (cold cuts, tomato & cheese slices, etc.)
b) prepare meat sandwiches for immediate pick-up (no, PB&J doesn't cut it and students can already make them)
c) provide a "fast pass" badge for students having short time windows between classes (a computer program presumably could kick out a list of students with time-pressure problems, who also are on a meal plan);
d) offer more variety in hot meals and salads over the week;
e) limit guest meal hours?
f) benchmark lunch and dinner offerings against colleges that have higher (student) ranked meal plans. UOP in Stockton CA would be a good campus to include in benchmarking, as well as local grocery prepared salad offerings (Chinese chicken salad, arugula or spinach salad with nuts and cranberries, tuna salad, etc.)

As for other parents experiencing somewhat similar problems, the local Safeway can supplement student meals (offering more varieties of fruit, yogert, cereal and healthy drinks-that can be stored in a small dorm refrigerator) is one way. We've also sent care packages with enough instant oatmeal, instant breakfasts and health dry snacks to feed her and her dorm friends.

We're looking forward to Emily's Spring semester, with a schedule that likely will give more time for sit-down lunches, instead of her 'grab and go' approach.

Hope this perspective helps!

Al Hannenberg
Home: 702-515-0326
alfredo at informativepeople.com







-----Original Message-----
From: Leveridge Family [mailto:Leveridge4 at comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008 08:13 AM
To: parent-network at willamette.edu
Subject: [Parent-Network] Meal plans

Our daughter is a freshman. We started out by purchasingthe middle meal plan, think that would provide her with enough food. She issuggesting that it?s not. How are others finding the meal plans? Are theyworking for your child or are you having to upgrade to a larger plan? 

Thank you,


TheLeveridge's
Leveridge4 at comcast.net
(425) 486-7547







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