UNIVERSITY IN NEED OF A NEW MEAL PLAN
ANTOINETTE ANDERSON|
ST. THOMAS–The cafeteria is the center of entertainment and dining at most universities and colleges. The on-campus students at the University of the Virgin Islands are tired of complaining and giving suggestions to Student Housing and Student Government Association about their dissatisfaction with the food service.
Academics are the most important part of a student’s college career. On-campus students aren’t spending thousands of dollars to just hang out around campus. Students are spending this abundant amount of money so they can actually learn something.
Antoinette Anderson
However, that doesn’t mean university administration should focus their attention solely on education and forget about the importance of providing students with quality food service. The dining hall has a great atmosphere and view but lacks cleanliness. Several students have gotten sick from eating the food and the lack of professionalism by the employees is a serious problem.
The impolite staff in the cafeteria has added to the bad reputation for on-campus dining. Several students have gotten into verbal confrontations with cafeteria staff. Many students and staff have witnessed the cafeteria staff use profane language and aggressive tones toward each other and students.
“One of the chefs was very disrespectful to me during the lunch hour for complaining about my food being cold and I was simply trying to inquire the type of chafing dish they use. The food service is beyond reprehensible and the employee needs to learn how to be professional in their place of work,” said Sharifah Matthew, biology major.
The dining hall meals are predictable every day. There isn’t any variety or options on a daily basis. They often serve the same baked chicken that they served for lunch at dinner. Most students take the food and throw it in the garbage or go to the grill section which is not healthy.
There aren’t many healthy choices for lunch or dinner. Some students may even have health concerns such as high blood pressure, but there aren’t any low sodium food options for them.
Antoinette Anderson
“I was hospitalized during the spring semester of 2013 due to food poisoning from eating curry tofu from the dining hall and I received nothing but excuses from the dining hall manager. The on-campus nurse also dismissed my case when I requested to be removed from the meal plan,” stated Zubida O’Neal.
Students deserve and expect to eat from the cafeteria without having to worry about food making them sick.
It is imperative that the University of the Virgin Islands takes action to improve and start providing students with an inexpensive meal plan with good food. The university’s cafeteria food lacks variety and options for students on campus. And to top it off, they provide expensive, low quality food and keep bad hours.The university often speaks about creating a campus culture and promoting student involvement. However, the first step is being promptly responsive to all student ideas or complaints by taking affirmative action.
UVI VOICE 
Yes! The food is sooooooooo nasty!!! About time someone said something!
LikeLike
Oh n it is very unsanitary for the “chef” to use the bathroom (to shit), while he is “cooking”. Also, the bake chicken is never cooked thoroughly…always bloody and cold! GROSS!! The cafeteria food in STX does not taste like this…it is actually good!
LikeLike
We have been complaining about Willy and his staff for years and apparently student housing and the rest of the UVI administration could care less about our complaints and concerns. I can’t understand why nothing has been done about the cafeteria food as well as staff. It have days I rather stay hungry than eat from the cafeteria. This is beyond ridiculous!!!!!
LikeLike
The problem is the lack of variety. They literally cook the same thing every day! Then on top of that it doesn’t taste good…Student Housing has to do better.
LikeLike
STOP DELETING COMMENTS! IF THE CAFE FOOD IS NASTY! IT IS NASTY! WE SHOULD HAVE THE OPTION TO VOICE OUR OPINIONS UNDER HERE! MAYBE YOU GUYS SHOULD TRY AND FIND A WAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM INSTEAD OF FINDING TIME TO DELETE INNOCENT COMMENTS!
LikeLike
No one deleted any comments. The comments that were posted had not been approved yet because no one signed on to approve them. Unless the comments have been approved, they will not show up on the page. Before attacking others you should try to understand what is happening first. You are free to voice your opinions as long as you do so in a respectable manner. Thank you.
LikeLike
the food is great…..
LikeLike
compared to other schools and even top class restaurants the food is fair enough … eat up kids
LikeLike
Coming from another university, I was excited to try new things. I was anxious about the people, landscapes, and food. Once I tasted the food in the cafeteria, I was quickly saddened. I never thought that I would miss my old school’s cafeteria food so much. I’m used to all you can eat with varieties such as: salad bar, international bar, dessert bar, entrée bar, pasta bar, pizza bar, and deli bar where nothing is served two days in a row or even two meals in a row. Uncooked chicken, which can be found in the UVI cafeteria is unhealthy and unsanitary. As stated above, the workers are rude, rude, rude! I am short and can hardly reach where they place the plates and one lady seems to not care that. I basically am sitting on the bar in order to get my food. Also, the grill line should not take nearly as long as it does. 45 minutes for a sandwich is seriously ridiculous. The hours are inconvenient for students, especially those who have jobs, due to the fact that the cafeteria is never open on time and close super early. One hour for dinner on the weekend is not long enough!!!
LikeLike