By TAYLOR MORRIS, Student Reporter
Last Wednesday, the food committee, which combines discussions between Northwestern students and the Chartwell’s food service staff, held their monthly meeting in the Ranger Perk.
The meeting was held to discuss how the food staff could improve service in the cafeteria and the student center.
During the meeting, Regional Director of Chartwell’s Jon Walters gave a short presentation to nine students on a proposal to remodel the snack bar area of the student center.
This is a cooperative process between the University and Chartwell’s. This new proposal is to add a coffee bar, fresh food options such as fruit, sandwiches, snacks and other items for purchase. Now the question is why make these changes now?
According to the Director of Dining Services Charles Craddock, “ The University expressed an interest in expanding coffee options and speeding up the service time for purchases. This is the preliminary plan to accomplish this.” Craddock also says that the plan would not affect the student center seating or tables outside of the present snack bar area. Students would be able to buy premium coffee options and get other items from the display cases and go directly to the cashier thus reducing time.
Now as far as student meal plans being affected, the new proposition would have a flex dollar option on the meal plan. The student would have a basic meal plan as it now exists with the option of flex dollars to be used to buy items at the student center without using a meal swipe. The overall details of the plan will be worked out by the University, however this flex dollar option is in use at other universities in the state of Oklahoma.
Northwestern students that attended the meeting were able to give their feedback on the new proposal. Junior Bailey Cook said, “ I thought the changes were very positive and healthy for the students! “ Junior Carley Greer said, “ I really think it will be a great improvement to Northwestern’s campus. I believe that having the option of coffee, smoothies, or a deli would be great for a grab and go snack before class.” Freshman Kolton Fishback says, “I think the new changes are going to be interesting. It’s something new for the students, but will take some getting used to I believe.” If things are agreed to the remodeling could possibly occur this summer and service could begin during the fall semester of 2017.
As said before, the proposal is still in the preliminary stages so if there are any other students that would like to give feed back on the proposal please contact the Director of Dining Services Charles Craddock at chartewells@nwosu.edu