Dining Commons

Mount Holyoke College should consider more inclusive meal plan

Mount Holyoke College should consider more inclusive meal plan

I have always been confused by the fact that I cannot use my meal swipes at every dining location on campus. Of course, they work in the Dining Commons and the two Grab ’n Go stations; however, I cannot use them to get coffee at the Frances Perk café or a burger at the Cochary Pub & Kitchen. While I understand that certain items, such as alcoholic beverages at the Pub, cannot be included on the meal plan due to state law, blacklisting both locations entirely seems not only futile but frustrating. I already pay for the meal plan — which, since I live on campus as a full-time residential student, I cannot opt out of — so why do I have to spend more money to access other dining options right here on campus?

Lack of Hispanic/Latinx foods on campus challenges Mount Holyoke’s promise of community and inclusion

Lack of Hispanic/Latinx foods on campus challenges Mount Holyoke’s promise of community and inclusion

We don’t talk enough about the alarming lack of Hispanic/Latinx foods in the Dining Commons. According to Mount Holyoke College’s enrollment data, in the fall of 2023 Hispanic/Latinx identifying students were the third biggest campus identity with 202 students, or  9.14% of the student body. Despite Hispanic and Latinx-identifying students being a solid percentage of the campus community, there is no dedicated dining station to serve them.

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Dining hall of horrors: We need to be more respectful of our dining staff

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Dining hall of horrors: We need to be more respectful of our dining staff

It’s a scenario that is all too common: You finish your meal in the Dining Commons and pick up your plates and cups. As soon as you enter the dish drop-off area, you are overcome with the thick and suffocating smell of who-knows-what. With a low droning sound, the conveyor belt rattles against tipped-over cups. The sides of the belt are splattered with sauce, milk, yogurt, coffee and sticky fluids; crumpled tea bags, pieces of food, stray forks and soggy napkins litter the space. Accidents happen, but this is a disaster on its own level.

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Mount Holyoke's Gracious Dinner merits serious reflection

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Mount Holyoke's Gracious Dinner merits serious reflection

On Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, a small sign was put up in front of the swipe-in counter in the Dining Commons announcing that Gracious Dinner would start that night at 5 p.m. It was almost inconspicuous, and perhaps first-years and new transfer students paid it little attention. But word spread quickly among those who had experienced it before, and group chats flooded with plans to meet up for Mount Holyoke’s annual Friendsgiving-type celebration, complete with fall-themed decorations, special menu items like gyros, a berry bar, pumpkin pie and even a turkey-shaped bread display.

Dining hall dish names are culturally appropriative

If Dining Services would like to continue using these names, I recommend that they do research into the cooking practices of these cultures in order to include cultural backgrounds in a respectful and inclusive manner. Refusing to do so does the opposite; it takes ownership of a less dominant culture without being mindful of their unique customs and practices.

Grab n’ Go should expand to include more options

Grab n’ Go should expand to include more options

The Grab n’ Go station in Blanchard Campus Center provides students with a place to get a quick lunch and snacks for the road. While providing us with an easy option to grab food, the Grab n’ Go has limited options and portions for students and is too small to fit current student needs and demands.

The Dining Commons needs plant-based options

The Dining Commons needs plant-based options

Jane Kvederas discusses the fact that the new Dining Commons does not reliably serve enough plant-based protein options to provide enough sustainable nutrients for those with dietary restrictions. While the Dining Commons is doing a fine job overall providing for the dietary needs of students, there are improvements to be made in providing for vegan and vegetarian students, especially when it comes to protein. 

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