Is college food too good?

It seems like a silly question. For years, the food in college dining halls was maligned as a last-resort dining destination. But operators have spent the last decade plus revamping their programs to be, in many cases, downright awesome. And not just with the food, but in the overall experience. 

A big portion of this college dining overhaul was driven by student demand. They wanted to have late-night options, food trucks, sustainably sourced foods and cool dining halls to meet up with their friends for a meal. In short, they asked for a restaurant experience on campus. 

What could possibly be wrong with that, you might be asking? According to some, college food is exactly that—too good. 

Malcolm Gladwell, journalist and best-selling author, recently picked a fight with Bowdoin College, saying that the college spent money on food instead of student aid. Gladwell went so far as to urge people not to attend any college “that serves amazing food in its dining halls. Atrocious fresh fruit is a small price to pay for social justice.” Bowdoin was quick to defend itself and its meal program and said the college is one of 15 that does not consider a student’s financial situation when deciding admissions.

Rollins College is an example of dining services expanding programs. It recently opened a campus pub to attract its older population of students. Photo: Brian Carlson

But Gladwell isn’t the only one questioning the price of meal plans. Students, parents and university administrators are also joining the chorus. Especially when donating food leftover from dining halls comes into play. 

Here’s how Dean Wright, director of dining services at Brigham Young University, put it into a parent’s perspective at this year’s FM Live! roundtable. “Don’t I pay enough for higher education? I’m trusting that you’re managing my kid’s money. And is that good management for you to give my kid’s money to a food bank? Why don’t you cut the cost of higher education for me?

“I think it’s going to get even tougher as higher education costs continue to rise,” Wright continued. “And I’m not saying that we go back to the way it was when I was a student, with the mystery meat and everything like that. But I do have to question if, in some of our programs, we have luxury items that the students of the future may simply say—or the parents of the future may simply say—‘We’re not paying for that. It’s not worth it for us.’ ” 

So is college dining too good? Have we reached the tipping point where students say, “I’m unwilling to pay for that?” And how do you justify your programs, and all the bells and whistles that go with it, now that people are questioning if this part of the college experience is worth it? 

Contact Becky Schilling at [email protected].
Follow her on Twitter: @bschilling_FM