Editor’s Note: Views expressed in guest columns and letters to the editor reflect the views of the author, not the views of The State News.
Deciding to stay on campus in the dorms for a second year was a choice I made for many reasons: close to classes, right across the hall from my best friends and the convenience of the cafeteria right upstairs from my dorm room in the Snyder Hall terrace. I was happy with my decision until I realized how the Snyder and Phillips halls cafeteria makes me want to walk all the way to East Neighborhood for every meal.
My roommates and I feel obligated to eat here because it is right above our heads, but we dread going every day. Instead of talking about how our day went, we end up gossiping about how bad the service is or how they are out of something. Being a kitchen worker and host myself last year at East Neighborhood, I understand how things can get hectic at times, but not all the time. Aside from the full-time adult workers, all student employees, including managers, are more interested in flirting with their co-worker while my waffle is burning than simply giving all their time to a simple three-hour shift making cookies. It makes me sick to think that they are being paid for this type of work ethic.
Also, UGG boots and leggings are not a professional work outfit, but if you gave me a dollar for every time I saw that, I probably could upgrade to the Gold Meal Plan. You can’t get a more convenient, easy job than a student cafeteria job, in my opinion, and it should not be used as “free time.” Putting a smile on your face and saying a simple “you’re welcome” after the customer says thank you isn’t much to ask.
I do appreciate some things about this cafeteria. The full-time adult card swipers are always extremely nice and make me smile when I might be having a bad day. The food that is served is very good, and I usually like trying all the new things they come up with. The patio outside is a favorite of mine as well as my friends. These things are great, but they still do not make up for the poor service.
I don’t know if any other students feel this way, and maybe you don’t eat here enough to realize it, but being a resident in Snyder Hall, I would like to see some major improvements made by the staff.
Kati Kauffman, dietetics sophomore
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