Lizzie Lauterbach

PRSSA

Susquehanna’s Food Service & Quality

The quality of campus food has been a longstanding debate at Susquehanna University,
with students and faculty expressing mixed opinions about the overall quality of the food served
on campus. Some argue that the food is unappetizing and unhealthy, while others contend that
the food is satisfactory and meets the basic nutritional needs of students. One of the main
criticisms of campus food at Susquehanna is the lack of the variety of healthy options.
There are not many places to get food on campus, and the hours are even worse. They
do not open until 12pm on the weekends. I find this aggravating when I wake up and I am
hungry, but have to starve myself until noon. The lack of healthy food, options of where to get
food, the high prices of food that do not even fall under a single meal swipe, everything is
ridiculous. To get wings, celery and a fountain drink should not be over a meal swipe, yet, it
always is.
Many students feel that the same dishes are served repeatedly, leading to a sense of
monotony and boredom. As much as I love myself a good hamburger, they are there almost
every time I go. The same goes for the types of pizza, and it is never good pizza. Additionally,
some students have reported finding hair or foreign objects in their food, which raises concerns
about the cleanliness and hygiene of the kitchen and food preparation areas. There is a
student-run Instagram page that goes by the name @deghighlights that students send pictures
of what they have found in their food to be posted. Most of the posts are of little bugs, hairs,
and the horrible random assortments people put on their plates. Another issue that has been
raised is the limited options available for students with specific dietary requirements. For
example, students with gluten allergies or other food sensitivities may struggle to find suitable
options on the menu. Vegan and vegetarian students have also expressed dissatisfaction with
the limited choices available to them. This is also an issue because the center for disabilities
does not do a good job in housing with the people with dietary needs.
Despite these concerns, it's worth noting that Susquehanna University has made efforts
to address these issues in recent years. The university has changed head chefs, which minorly
has helped, and updated the menu to include healthier options. They have also partnered with
local farmers to source fresh ingredients, which has been well-received by some students.
However, it's clear that there is still work to be done. The chicken still is pink, the red sauce
makes everyone have stomach issues, this is in the dining hall alone. The university should
continue to prioritize student feedback and make necessary improvements to ensure that all
students have access to healthy and varied food options. This may involve expanding the menu
to include more diverse dishes or offering more options for students with specific dietary
requirements. There is a grievances form for students to complain to and many of the entries I
can imagine are about the poor food options and just the food and service in general. I have not
made an entry myself, but I know some people who have and they have been brutal. Staff and
the university are trying their best, but cannot satisfy everyone all at once.
The staff is another issue in itself. Most of them are unfriendly and unwelcoming, as well
as rude. Having an unhappy worker serve you food is unsettling. They also have student
employees in the cafe, and they are almost always a breath of fresh air. You got to have the luck
of the Irish to get a friendly worker serving you in cafe.
I overall think the food here at SU is terrible, and that I should not be required to have a
meal plan. You are required to have one when you live on campus, and that is a something that
should have options. I feel forced to have one and all the meal plans in the end suck based off
the price and what they offer within them, and within the food they offer.
In conclusion, the debate over campus food at Susquehanna University highlights the
importance of ensuring that students have access to healthy and appetizing meals. While the
university has made some strides in improving the quality of the food served on campus, there
is still room for improvement. By working together, students and university officials can create a
campus dining experience that meets the needs and expectations of everyone.