Groceries may be more practical than meal plans
Keely Shannon
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: Features
When students are faced with the decision to live on or off campus, food is a big factor. Students who live on campus, with the exception of the apartment residents, are required to purchase a meal plan for the year.
Students are less than satisfied when it comes to the quality of campus food.
"I think we pay too much for the quality. Sometimes there is good food but there's never a guarantee," Elise Bernholtz, pre-elementary sophomore, said. "Knudsen only has good food when Lily's cooking, and Stacks is just something quick. Jensen has the same thing everyday."
Many students are concerned they lose money because they do not use all their meals. Bernholtz, who has a 10-meal plan, said she only uses about five meals every week. Alex Zprudsky, graphic journalism freshman, said he probably eats 10-12 of his 15 meals in his plan.
"I am rarely on campus on weekends and eat out once a week as it is," Zprudsky said.
Bernholtz pays $1,252 for her meal plan of 15 weeks, but since she only eats about half her meals, she is losing about $630.
Ashley Thompson, nursing junior, lives off campus and said she spends about $100 a month on groceries and would rather buy groceries than have a meal plan because it is healthier and cheaper.
"I like to cook my own food so I can throw whatever I want in it," Thompson said, "that way I know exactly what is in it and how it is prepared."
Zaprudsky, who also spends anywhere from $5 to $25 a week on fast food in addition to a meal plan, says he misses cooking.
He said, "I would love to cook my own food again."
Bernholtz, on the other hand, said she likes her meal plan despite the lack of variety because the whole meal is right there when she wants it.
"Groceries are expensive and it takes time to get them. I don't have to worry about not having something and having to go get groceries," Bernholtz said.
The biggest difference between a meal plan and groceries is the meal plan can be paid for beforehand with a payment plan, while groceries have to be paid upfront.
Students are less than satisfied when it comes to the quality of campus food.
"I think we pay too much for the quality. Sometimes there is good food but there's never a guarantee," Elise Bernholtz, pre-elementary sophomore, said. "Knudsen only has good food when Lily's cooking, and Stacks is just something quick. Jensen has the same thing everyday."
Many students are concerned they lose money because they do not use all their meals. Bernholtz, who has a 10-meal plan, said she only uses about five meals every week. Alex Zprudsky, graphic journalism freshman, said he probably eats 10-12 of his 15 meals in his plan.
"I am rarely on campus on weekends and eat out once a week as it is," Zprudsky said.
Bernholtz pays $1,252 for her meal plan of 15 weeks, but since she only eats about half her meals, she is losing about $630.
Ashley Thompson, nursing junior, lives off campus and said she spends about $100 a month on groceries and would rather buy groceries than have a meal plan because it is healthier and cheaper.
"I like to cook my own food so I can throw whatever I want in it," Thompson said, "that way I know exactly what is in it and how it is prepared."
Zaprudsky, who also spends anywhere from $5 to $25 a week on fast food in addition to a meal plan, says he misses cooking.
He said, "I would love to cook my own food again."
Bernholtz, on the other hand, said she likes her meal plan despite the lack of variety because the whole meal is right there when she wants it.
"Groceries are expensive and it takes time to get them. I don't have to worry about not having something and having to go get groceries," Bernholtz said.
The biggest difference between a meal plan and groceries is the meal plan can be paid for beforehand with a payment plan, while groceries have to be paid upfront.
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