It is not unusual for a university to require a minimum buy in to an on-campus meal plan. It is, however, unusual for a university to allow a way to circumvent the plan at the end of the year, allowing students to bring unused funds with them by way of gift cards.
Most current students were not enrolled at Seattle University before gift cards were allowed to be purchased—a program that began five years ago. However, Bon Appétit's decision to deny students' the ability to buy gift cards with their meal plans is a transition to a policy that is commonly practiced by other universities.
By offering students a way to retrieve leftover funds at the end of the year, the catering company was in breach of its contract with the university.
Though The Spectator encourages students to offer feedback on university decisions, students should also educate themselves on the situations they are responding to.
One of the greatest points of contention students had with the change in gift card policy was that the announcement came after the deadline to change meal plans, but this problem was quickly remedied as the period to change plans was extended by two weeks.
Students should review their own contracts with the university to fully understand the conditions of their meal plans. These show that excess money will go to the university at the end of the year and, now, at the end of the quarter if students have more than $100 in excess.
Instead of asking for a return to the previous policy, students should consider their options in using excess funds at the end of the quarter. Host a catered event, or feed your friends or donate meal plan bucks to feed the homeless at cash registers in the Cave. The Cave also provides basic toiletries and cleaning supplies great for end of the quarter cleaning.
Reach the editorial board at opinion@su-spectator.com.
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