By By Andrew Vernon
The University is known as an excellent school from a prospective students’ standpoint. Visits to the school, information on the Web site and conversations with administrative faculty, create a great image. However, once accepted and living on campus, the student perspective of an “excellent school” changes significantly. This school lacks some important features in many areas. We look to the leaders on this campus for the necessary changes. Therefore, I will discuss two major areas that need improvement.
Lackman Culinary is our primary dining service. They provide the same food each day during the entire school year. Anyone see anything wrong with this? I have spoken with a particular employee discussing why I choose to get the lowest meal plan possible. They agree the company presence needs serious reconsideration. I’ve visited and attended other collegiate institutions and was able to get a firsthand experience of what they offer. Both institutions were comparable in population to the University. They had workers who were completely honest and sympathetic to the needs of any student. The food choices were based upon a different menu each week. The management worked diligently to make choices satisfying to each student. The cafeteria always contained a multitude of nutritious food choices.
I fail to see why our $28,000 yearly tuition can’t be put toward the construction of new cafeterias or a revision of food choices, as opposed to a fourth theatre. I suggest the University reconsider Lackmann Culinary as a primary dining service. Ultimately, we need an improvement in food choices. By the way, I’ll give a tip for anyone who wants to save money on Poland Spring water. Lackmann charges $1.59 for a .5 liter bottle. Wal-Mart charges $4.50 for a 24 pack.
Does anyone else on this campus have a huge problem with our “fitness center?” According to posts on our Web site, it was recently renovated. Sadly, the weight room is filled with bacteria, free weights with holes in them, old machines and a severe lack of space. The benches have holes in them where one’s head and neck lie. There are no spray bottles with an alcohol-based formula to clean sweat off the machines. This is a serious health concern and is only augmented by machines constantly breaking down.
The fact is the weight room cannot accommodate the student body and professors who use it. When equipment is old and run-down, new options need to be explored. This is something you’d hear from anyone regardless of the situation. If it’s broke, let’s fix it. The weight room is in terrible shape and it is past time for renovations that will provide room for the students, professors, and alumni who’ve put timeless hours into the school.
The weight room should be a place to relieve stress, train, relax and meet new friends.
Jack Hayes, the University’s new athletic director, came from the University of Connecticut, a well-known athletic institution whose sports facilities I’ve utilized.
I challenge Hayes and President Rabinowitz to make critical improvements to our fitness facilities, reconsider Lackmann Culinary or place pressure on them to improve their service. This will benefit the entire student body in numerous ways.
