Combo-X-Changes have become a very popular food options for students with meal passes because they offer students accessibility to food on the go.
However, with the popularity of the Combo, students have wondered, why they are not offered on the weekend.
Combo-X-Changes are not offered during the weekends because of the additional cost that would be passed down to the students, Guy Procopio, director of MSU Culinary Services, said.
“Combo-X-Change is designed to support a student’s lifestyle, which is why it is not available on the weekends,” Procopio said. “Monday through Friday (students) are busy going to and from class. It’s something you can grab on the go without missing anything.”
Political science freshman Eli Pales does not think the added cost would be worth it.
“It’s not worth a cost when you can get actual food right upstairs in the dining hall,” Pales said. “Why would I pay more to carry out?”
In order to support the busy life of a student, access goes hand in hand when getting a Combo-X-Change.
A Combo-X-Change allows anyone with a meal plan to access Sparty’s stores, as well as the Union Pizzeria, Riverwalk, and Eat At State On-The-Go trucks.
Combo-X-Change began in fall 2009. MSU’s campus has more than 40-locations on campus Combo X-Change.
“We expanded the type of food options at all (Sparty’s) locations,” Procopio said. “Recently, we added sushi, salad, and more to Combo-X-Change.”
Procopio said students can also use their Combo-X-Change in the 10 dining halls across campus.
“Residence dining halls are where students socialize, it is more like a great room, living room and dining room all in one,” Procopio said. “When you are on the go, you can grab items from Sparty’s, like the pantry.”
Students who live off campus in places such as University Village Apartments still have the ability to get Combos for on the go by purchasing an off campus meal plan.
The set amount of swipes you purchase with an off campus meal plan can be used to get Combo-X-Changes the same as they could be used to enter a cafeteria.
“You can buy an off-campus meal plan, you can buy certain amount of swipes which change used for combos or used to get into the dining hall,” biosystems engineering sophomore Ten-Niah Kinney said.
Because of the construction at the University Village Appartments, residents were granted one free Combo-X-Change per day.
MSU spokesman Jason Cody said the free Combo-X-Changes have been happening for a couple of weeks now. And they will remainder of the school year, and possibly longer depending on the length of the project.
“The construction is for 1855 Place which will replace Spartan Village,” Cody. “RHS made the decision to compensate residents by giving them one free combo daily. Free combos has been going on for a few weeks.”
Media and information junior Quinn Huisman said lives off campus and said he got a meal plan because of the convenience. He said he is very excited MSU decided to give them free Combo-X-Changes.
“I do have an off-campus meal plan, I have the biggest one you can get,” Huisman said. “I use combos a lot. I really like that they gave us free combos for the rest of the year.
