On Friday, Jan. 16, the Elizabethtown College’s Student Senators posted meal plan options that might be instituted in the Fall 2015 semester. Some of the options included fewer meals per semester and a limit on guest meals, as well as an option to upgrade Jay Bucks. I commend the Student Senators along with Mr. Eric Turzai, director of Dining Services, and the consultant group Envision Strategies who all spent their valuable time studying the meal plan options. I am sure that Dining Services and the Student Senate will keep students apprised of the proposed meal plan modifications.
As my first semester came to a close last month, I and many other students found that we had a lot of extra, unused meal swipes available. When I left campus for winter break in December 2014, I noticed that I had 94 unused swipes. I asked myself whether there was a way to donate this money instead of forfeiting it. Although I know that the answer to this question would be a resounding “no,” the query still bothered me.
Later, while I was helping at the Catholic Harvest Food Pantry during the break, I again thought about donating unused meal swipes to help a local food pantry, a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter. If I was allowed to donate just $1 per unused swipe to a good cause, I would have donated $94.
I am sure there must be other students who feel a desire to give back to the community using their excess dining swipes. I think that the “Dollar a Swipe” or “Share a Swipe” should be considered as a way for students to help those who are less fortunate. This would be in keeping with the College’s commitment to “Educate for Service.”
Moreover, I have heard that, in the past, students have used their leftover JayBucks to stock up on snacks to take home for the summer. Perhaps students could use this money to buy non-perishable food items and donate them to a food pantry instead. Again, this would be a simple way to give back to the community and could be done easily without changing students’ lifestyle. JayWeb keeps track of student swipes. With students’ permission, taking $1 out per leftover swipe should not negatively impact the student body or Dining Services.
As the work continues on studying and evaluating the meal plan options, perhaps administration and students should also consider ways to donate food or funds to charities. It would be an outstanding way to show that Etown students care. The Catholic Harvest Food Pantry I assist helps feed over 700 families per month. Etown students should look into providing a similar service.
