By Cat Thoreson
The Student Government Association is currently pushing for the University to offer an off-campus dining option for students on their Dutch Debits card. It would allow students to use their HofstraCard to swipe their tabs at local venues such as Dunkin Donuts, Subway and many other frequently visited eateries near the University.
Many students see this as a huge opportunity for the University. Not only could it draw future students who might be bored with the monotonous choices of the typical college cafeteria, but it would also create some healthy competition for Lackmann Culinary Services and their monopoly of the 17 campus food venues.
“Granted, the food at Hofstra is better than most, but it still has a tendency to get old. By giving students another option, it will have to make Lackmann reevaluate their meals and prices, which really can only benefit the students in the long run,” said sophomore Jen Bach.
To the chagrin of many, Lackmann prices are still high this year, only adding to the growing bill that parents must contend with when sending their child to college.
“There seems to be no real reason for the [price] increase besides the fact that [Lackmann] wants more money. They are able to do what they want and get away with it because they have the control,” said Lauren Whitcomb, an English major.
Perhaps, if Lackmann loses the interest of students, the company’s only option will be to sell satisfaction and nothing less, Whitcomb added.
Price also proved to be a concern for many. Liberal arts major Chris Mentrasti said that he thought that an off-campus debits plan such as this “would definitely be more attractive to the students; money is always a rare commodity.”
Scott Flato agreed. “I know that the money on my Dutch Debits is my parents’, and I can say that I wouldn’t mind going to a restaurant and spending my parents’ money. We are college students after all.”
Jackie Hetzel said that being able to use the HofstraCard off-campus would be convenient since she is tired of carrying so many cards in her wallet.
“I know that it drives me crazy to have to carry around my HofstraCard, credit card, debit card and money around. If I could go to Dunkin Donuts or some other place near school and use my Dutch Debits and not have to worry about other forms of money, it would be great,” Hetzel added. “It would just make things simpler and kids like simple.”
These plans are gaining momentum on campuses across the country. Schools who have already implemented a similar option for students include Westchester University, Bowling Green State University and University of California, Davis.
As part of President Peter DiSilvio’s S.G.A. 2006 presidential campaign, he promised students among many other things, to instate off-campus debits. “It was a huge selling point to his campaign. Many of my friends and I voted in his favor, hoping that his promises would produce,” stated sophomore Meghan Turnbaugh. “I’m just curious when this will happen.”
The hope was that by next semester, the plan would be fully active. Thus far, S.G.A. has been having difficulty with pushing the idea.