By Isa Riaño, Advertisement Manager
Saint Leo University sent a mass email to all students on Dec. 9, informing them the unlimited meal plan will be discontinued for the 2023-2024 academic year and that the university “will now offer weekly 19-, ten-, and five-meal plans for resident students.” However, Lions living in dorms without a kitchen must purchase the 19-meal plan. Furthermore, the email stated that meal plans for students and commuters will cost an additional 6.67 percent on average.
Several students were shocked with this change, as 19 weekly meals are less than three meals per day.
“I do not understand why they made this change. Students need more than the bare minimum to eat,” said Caroline Magill, a freshman majoring in environmental sciences.
Other students were concerned about the price increase, noting that the 19-meal plan will be more expensive than the unlimited meal plan, despite offering fewer swipes.
“I would expect my investment to have added value if I am paying more,” said Jose Lopez, a freshman majoring in criminal justice. “I love Saint Leo, but the constant increase in room and board charges discourages me at times.”
When approaching the issue from the perspective of dining services, staff mentioned that there is a reason behind the change they made.
“The Unlimited Meal plan will be discontinued based on data demonstrating that students use the dining hall no more than 19 times per week,” said Justin Bush, the director of dining services. “The 19-meal plan means that the dining hall will serve the same number of meals as usual, but hot meals will be served with brief breaks in between.”
Bush also stated that, with the change in meal plans, staff will work to improve the quality of food for students.
“Making this change will allow us to keep everything fresher and clean more effectively,” said Bush.
Despite understanding that the dining hall staff has a reason behind making this change, several students would like for this to change at some point.
“Getting all these emails makes my life as a commuter more enjoyable,” said Manuela Coca, a freshman majoring in business. “I hope things improve for those who live on campus.”
However, Saint Leo is planning to make this change permanent.
“Dining Services has and will continue to offer 19 meals per week. This will not change,” said Bush.
The dining hall staff wants students to understand that, due to inflation, they must also make a larger investment in food.
“Food prices are rising at an average of eight percent nationally; therefore, we must ensure that we have enough money to feed our students,” Bush said.
In the 2022-2023 school year, the unlimited meal plan costed $3,350 per semester, but now the 19-meal plan will cost $3,520 per semester. In addition, the 10-meal plan cost changed from $2,225 to $2,335, and the 5-meal plan cost changed from $1,115 to $1,170.
Bush also aims to address students’ concerns by bringing awareness to other food options that will be offered to students.
“We will continue to offer the ‘Penny Meal,’ which is available in FUZ Eatery, as well as Bonus Bucks to students who choose the 19-Meal Plan,” he said. “In terms of meal swipes, students should choose the option that best meets their dining needs based on their housing choices.”
Furthermore, Bush draws attention to the fact that Saint Leo’s meal plan options are similar to other universities.
“This type of meal plan is consistent with our peer institutions,” he said.
Some Lions are frustrated despite knowing their options and understanding the reason behind the change, and they hope Saint Leo reconsiders this decision.
“Hopefully Saint Leo listens to us more,” said Magill. “I have already heard a lot of complaints about this.”
There have been several student concerns about the new meal plan change, which will go into effect in the 2023-2024 school year; however, dining services is hopeful that it can address them in the best way possible and provide students with better food quality moving forward.
Students interested in finding the exact new tuition and meal plan costs for the 2023-2024 school year can do so through the Saint Leo website or by visiting the following link: https://www.saintleo.edu/sites/default/files/2022-12/2023-2024-Tuition-and-Fees-Campus-Undergraduate-11-2022.pdf.
