A decline in the number of meal plans sold has forced Chartwells, UToledo’s Dining Service contractor, to reduce the hours of operations of its two main dining areas on campus, leaving students with fewer options for certain meals. The changes have negatively affected service according to some students, with reports one facility constantly runs out of food and does not have enough seating to accommodate customers, so some students are forced to eat standing.
The Eatery in the Student Union provides breakfast and lunch and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, while the Food Hall in Ottawa East is only open from 2 to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.
According to Justin Rose, Student Government’s Dining Chair, Chartwells was 250 meal plans short of keeping the old dining hall schedule for the cafeterias at the Student Union and at Ottawa West. Last year, the Eatery in the Student Union was open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the Food Hall in Ottawa East was open from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The time and location of meal swipes from last year determined the new hours, Rose said. Labor was the biggest factor that led to the reduced hours, citing Chartwells’ mission is to not risk quality over quantity, he said.
Karina James, Jaydon Cirincioyce, and Ella Kurto are three sophomores who have lived together in Ottawa East since last school year. Members of the cross country and track and field teams, last year they would get breakfast in the Food Hall before heading off to morning practice. Now, with breakfast only available at the Eatery in the Student Union, they do not have enough time to eat in the Union before heading to practice and starting their day.
According to James, no one in charge of the dining halls has paid attention to students with complaints about the new hours of operations and cafeteria services have not improved since the beginning of the semester.
Cirincioyce said various foods continually run out in the Food Hall at Ottawa East and since the start of the semester the dining hall has not been able to accommodate all of the students who show up for meals. She said it is not uncommon that some students are forced to eat their meals standing up due to the lack of chairs and tables.
Ashley Westgate, Student Government’s Campus Culture Chair and a resident of MacKinnon Hall, said she has avoided the Food Hall for dinner this semester. It takes her about 15 minutes to get from her dorm on the north side of campus to Ottawa East. She saidshe has also avoided Ottawa East this year due to the lackluster service and the long distance when compared to the dining options offered at the Student Union. As an alternative, she has been using her Dining Dollars and Meal Exchanges weekly with her Rocket 14 Weekly plan.
Dining Dollars are used to buy from dining retail locations, dining centers, and/or convenience stores on campus. Meal Exchanges can be used in place of Meal Swipes that offers one meal per swipe at The Eatery in the Student Union and the Food Hall in Ottawa West. Meal Exchanges also cover a select number of menu items from on-campus dining services. A list of items can be found at www.dineoncampus.com/utoledo/meal-exchange.
An upside of Food Hall at Ottawa East, according to Westgate, is the facility opens an hour early for students with allergies, such as her friend who has peanut, soy, and egg allergies. The allergy hours have had no marketing from Chartwells, but anyone who is eligible can contact Dietitian Lisa Langhals for more details (lisa.langhals@compass-usa.com).
Brian Kulpa, Executive Director of Auxiliary Services, who supervises all outside contractors, including Chartwells, declined requests for an interview without questions being furnished in advance.
