Sam Kang
Contributing Writer
At the start of the semester, Campus Dining introduced a variety of changes, from an updated Mom’s Late Night menu to the new Reuzzi system. According to Marjorie Shamp, the director of campus dining, Creative Dining Services (CDS) made these changes in an attempt to accommodate the campus community.
The new Reuzzi program involves green plastic boxes and reusable coffee cups. The reusable boxes are available for check-out at Lowry Dining Hall and the reusable coffee cups are available at MacLeod’s C-Store, Old Main Café and the Knowlton Science Café.
Last year, when students misplaced their containers, they could buy another container with a meal swipe. This year, a new accountability program was implemented to solve issues of lost or thrown-out to-go containers. Shamp described the system as “very much like how a library book works.”
If a student returns a box or cup within two days, they will receive the maximum reward points of 15. Containers returned anywhere from two to 30 days after it is checked out will only reward the student with five points. The container will be marked as lost if not returned 30 days after it has been checked out. A container that is marked lost will remain checked out to a student’s account indefinitely – and student will eventually incur a fine of five dollars for not returning containers.
Per Shamp, this program has increased the return rate of reusable containers, remedying the issue of the large amount of green boxes that were thrown away last year.
CDS is also in the process of fulfilling requests made by students during last year’s demonstration at President Anne McCall’s inauguration, which criticized the administration for going “one step forward, three steps back,” with their inclusivity and diversity efforts. Following McCall’s inauguration, an additional student-led protest in Lowry’s lobby called upon CDS to improve the dining quality.
Demands included the addition of a spice rack, a microwave and quality control of food, as well as support for and recognition of different cultures through the celebration of religious and cultural holidays. Other additions to dining include more options for customizable meals, such as quesadillas and hot subs.
Plans are in the works to discuss additional ways to celebrate religious and cultural holidays, and Shamp encouraged any students to email her with ideas and feedback.
“Our biggest challenge is making sure that the recipes are authentic, so student input is especially appreciated,” Shamp said.
The menu for Mom’s Late Night dining has also recently changed, and at the request of students, now serves personal pizzas alongside its usual subs and salad options. Shamp also stated that CDS management are “looking to add additional items to the late-night menu in January.”