For dining at Columbia, a flat fee falls flat

With final exams approaching, students are busier than ever. They need quick and easy access to campus eateries to find sustenance in between writing papers, doing problem sets, and studying for exams. While these weeks may be a bit chaotic, a new proposal that could drastically change the way we get our food on campus is worthy of students’ attention. The proposal, currently being formulated by the Dining Advisory Committee in conjunction with students from Columbia College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science, calls for integrating the campus dining halls and a la carte dining locations. Under the proposed plan, students would be able to use meal plan meals at JJ’s Place, Ferris Booth Commons, and Café 212. They would simply swipe at the door, as they currently do in John Jay, and then would be able to eat all the food they care to eat. Students without meal plans will still have access to these eateries, but they will have to pay a flat fee—approximately $12—at the door. Those who just want to grab a quick bite will be able to do so only at Café 212, and only with cash. In addition to changing payment options, the proposal also calls for expanding seating areas, tripling the size of the Ferris Booth salad bar, and improving overall service.

The reason for these changes is simple: It’s about the money. As a result of an increase in the number of off-campus eateries that accept Flex Dollars, business is down at campus eateries. Because Housing and Dining does not want to lose money operating Ferris Booth, 212, and JJ’s, the current system was not considered sustainable. To maintain profitability, the University would have had to either limit hours of operation, raise prices, or both. The committee decided that a better alternative would be integrating all of the campus dining locations, as the decrease in business at a la carte locations has corresponded with an increase in meal plan sales. By increasing the number of meals on a meal plan and by keeping dining locations open longer, the committee felt it could most effectively meet the needs of hungry students.

Yet while its intention may have been good, the proposed plan is not the right solution. Currently, a la carte locations serve high-quality (or higher quality) food because students must choose whether to patronize them over other options in the neighborhood. If Columbia shifts to an all-you-can eat system, there will be little reason for these locations to make their products excellent, as they will no longer be in direct competition with local businesses that take Flex. Additionally, with 212 as the only a la carte eatery, the number of customers may dramatically increase, which would be difficult for the small cafe to accommodate.

Barring students without meal plans from Ferris Booth and JJ’s may disrupt campus social life and limit students’ choices for eating. Students often go to JJ’s and Ferris Booth for a snack, not for a whole meal. This plan would prevent students from doing that. The University needs to keep campus eateries on budget, but it must do so by attracting student business through high-quality, convenient options rather than by imposing potentially burdensome restrictions.