By Lexey Burns, Editor in Chief
The battle between students and Chartwells’ continues.
Fourth year Zoology student Colin Mar is asking students to sign a petition to bring awareness to the the lack of food choices on campus.
Mar says he wants more local Sudbury businesses partnering with Chartwells to allow students to spend flex dollars at businesses off campus.
Currently, students in residence pay between $1900-$4800 for mandatory meal plans.
Instead of buying a full meal plan with “swipes” to access the Great Hall’s buffet and “flex” dollars (Chartwells currency) which are dependent on the meal plan selection, this year, Chartwells provides only 500 flex dollars.
‘$500 does not a very long way’
The $500 can be spent at the Great Hall (which has adapted to a breakfast-only style at Toppers’ previous location), and residence’s C-Store and Quesada. The SGA’s Pub Downunder, which is not associated with Chartwells, is open and accepting flex dollars as well.
An anonymous post on UMentioned Laurentian says that “$500 in flex [dollars] does not go a very long way when you have to buy every meal.”
Not only did the meal plans themselves change, most of the franchises on campus have reduced hours or have closed completely. Both main Tim Horton’s locations, Subway, Starbucks, Smoke’s Poutinerie/Fresh Grill, and Toppers have closed.
Mar said “as university students we are paying for high quality, or at least good, accommodations and our school was not providing one of our most basic needs, food services.” Mar continued, saying that “spending over 500$ on snacks and junk food is unhealthy… Laurentian should work to provide students with options such as partnering with Sudbury grocery stores and restaurants.”
The petition, started September 25th, has racked up over 400 signatures as of October 1st, 2020. The petition has gained a lot of support, being shared across Facebook and Snapchat.
Sarah Pudim, third year Law and Justice student said Great Hall’s food was normally “a miss.”
“I’m signing [the petition] because I feel like the school has let us down in terms of dining… Nothing is open on campus, and students need to get their use of flex dollars. Support local in Sudbury LU!”
Students have not always been keen on Chartwells involvement with the university. Complaints have been posted on Instagram. @r8ghall posts updates on the food provided at the Great Hall. Photos from raw chicken strips to insects in salads have surfaced on the platform.
When asked for a comment, Chartwells directed Lambda to Ben Demianiuk, director of Housing and Food.
Demianiuk was not available for comment.