The Issue
In last week’s issue of the Tan & Cardinal, we reported that Otterbein grossed more than $10,000 last year from pre-purchased but unused meal swipes. Director of Residence Life Tracy Benner said that this money goes into the university’s general operating budget, which covers a range of things including financial aid, facility upgrades and utility bills.
Before we take a stance on the issue, we want to explain how the meal plan system works. All students starting with the class of 2014 are required to live on campus and purchase a meal plan until the end of their junior year. Otterbein has three plan options available to students: 120, 150 and 210 swipes. As the swipe count increases, so does the cost of the meal plan — up to $4,292 per year.
Other Ohio liberal arts colleges use a very similar system, though they distribute meal swipes by the week rather than by the semester. For example, both Muskingum University, which enrolls 1,700 undergraduate students, and Hiram College, which enrolls 1,200 students, allot their students a weekly number of meal swipes that expire if not used by the end of the week.
On the other hand, Ohio University, a public university with more than 35,000 students, uses a different method. Like other colleges, students are allotted a set number of meal swipes each week that expire every Saturday. But unlike the other colleges we’ve looked at, Ohio University also allows its students to use meal swipe money to purchase groceries at the Ohio University market. If students end up not using all of their swipes by Saturday, they can use each $6 swipe to buy items like milk, cereal, pop and chips.
Our Stance
It’s perfectly fine that Otterbein devotes money to things like facility upgrades and utility bills. A chunk of Otterbein’s price tag is labeled tuition, and that money should go toward the college. However, those other chunks of money labeled “room” and “board” have their own purpose, and our leftover money from those sections should go back toward those needs, not into Otterbein’s pocket.
The ideal solution would be to let meal swipes roll over from semester to semester, as long as the student purchases a meal plan for the new semester. But if this isn’t possible, we at least think the profit should go directly back to the students, especially if they’re being forced to have meal plans through their junior year. The T&C has compiled a list of options that we think would be a more appropriate use for the money.
1. Let students use meal plan swipes in the C-Store, OtterBean or Roost Express. We think Ohio University’s meal swipe system is a good one. Cardinal Dollars, which are dollars that can be used specifically at the cafes around campus, are nice to have, but for some students they can run out quickly. Being able to use meal swipes to buy things at the convenience store, Otter Bean or Roost Express would be a great way for students to get the most out of their meal plans and not end up with unused meal swipes at the end of the semester.
2. Tuition Let students use the leftover money from their own individual meal plans to pay a little bit of that mountainous tuition. Every penny helps.
3. Bookstore Credit Book prices are astronomical. Why not help us out?
4. Solution to the Parking Problem We might be a long way away from a solution, but perhaps the money could start going to the construction of a parking garage or some kind of parking solution.
5. Dorm Renovations Use the money specifically for residence hall renovations or upgrades, such as new furniture or appliances.
6. Designate the money to an Otterbein organization of the student’s choice. Organizations could always use some extra money.
7. Let students vote on it. It’s their money; they should decide where it goes.
This editorial is a general consensus of the views and opinions of the Tan & Cardinal staff.
