Hungry - but broke - students were astounded yesterday when the Faculty Student Association unexpectedly lowered prices in all on-campus FSA-run eateries.
"I can't believe it. Every year I've been here, prices have gone up. It's great something has finally been done about it," said Matthew Grumm, a senior political science major.
According to Mitch Green, executive director of FSA, prices were lowered after months of deliberation on how students could be better served in eateries like Putnam's, the Cellar and the new dining atrium in the Ellicott Complex.
"We have given extensive surveys asking students what they want, and overwhelmingly, they all wanted cheaper prices," he said.
Green said his staff was surprised at some of the responses they received, such as, "Why am I spending $3 for five mozzarella sticks in Putnam's?"
Students, however, say they were not surprised FSA received so many negative responses.
"I have classes all day long, and I have no choice but to eat the greasy food they serve in the Student Union. The least they could do is charge fair prices for it," said Monica Jimenez, a sophomore pharmacy major.
Derek Dawson, a freshman psychology major who lives in Governor's Residence Halls, said he is also not surprised students are dissatisfied with the food on campus.
"I've only been here one year," he said, "but it's easy to see the food is terrible and overpriced in the Cellar. I'm glad it won't cost as much to eat on campus for the next three years I'll be here. How much money do they want to make off us, anyway?"
According to the FSA's mission statement, however, which can be found on its Web site, "(The) Faculty Student Association (FSA) is a not-for-profit corporation established for the general purpose of providing educationally-related services for the benefit of the campus community including faculty, staff, and students."
"We do not aim to make a profit," Green said. "Honestly, I don't think the food is overpriced. But enough students claimed it was to make a difference. I mean, what's a few dollars here and there?"
Dennis Black, vice president of Student Affairs, said he has also received many complaints over the years about the price of food on campus, which many students claim to be affecting quality of life.
"I sometimes get nine or 10 calls per week complaining about the price of food. Students say to me, 'You're in charge of the quality of student life, do something!' But there is nothing I can do," Black said. "I tell them I will look into it, and I pass the message along to Mitch (Green)."
According to both Green and Black, calls from irritated students have increased since the atrium in the Ellicott Complex was completed.
"With about five new eateries open, there is much more choice for students," said Green. "That comes with a price."
Green said prices in the atrium were set at a certain level to accommodate FSA's need to pay back the loan needed to build the facility, but the prices will be lowered with the rest of the on-campus eateries.
"I never thought this would happen, but I'm glad it did," said sophomore Jennie Hall, an English and Spanish double major who lives in Ellicott. "Almost every night I go down to hUBie's to buy wings, and spending $10 on 20 wings is a rip-off."
Green said $10 wings would be a thing of the past come April 1, which is when the new prices take effect campus-wide.
