5 things: Dean resigns over Chick-fil-A ban

Each Friday I compile a list that highlights five things you probably missed in the news that week and why you should care about them.

Here’s your list for the week of March 4:

1. Dean resigns over Chick-fil-A ban

Last year, students at Rider University in New Jersey were asked which restaurant they would like to see brought onto campus. Even though Chick-fil-A won handily, according to the Washington Times, the university decided against bringing the QSR to campus in the name of “inclusion of all people.” The university told students that the chain’s “corporate values have not sufficiently progressed enough to align with those of Rider.” The dean of the College of Business Administration, Cynthia Newman, didn’t take the news well, saying she felt “like I had been punched in the stomach when I read that statement because I’m a very committed Christian.” Newman felt so strongly about the issue that she resigned her position as dean. The college responded by saying: “While we respect Dr. Newman’s personal decision, we maintain that the decision about choosing an on-campus restaurant franchise was in no way a judgment on religious values. Rather, our intention was to foster a sense of respect and belonging of all members of the campus community, including those who identify as LGBTQ .”

Read more: Rider University dean resigns over school's rejection of Chick-fil-A

2. A look into the supper programs in Atlanta schools

This is a great look into the increasing number of schools that are serving supper meals to students. One district, Dekalb County School District, is even testing a dinner program at one elementary schools to see if they can serve families along with their students. According to the USDA about 554,000 dinners were served in Georgia districts during the 2017-18 school year.

Read more: More Atlanta school districts add dinner to menu to meet student needs

3. Fast food even worse for you now than a decade ago

A new study has found that portion sizes at fast food restaurants have increased in the past three decades, and as a result, the amount of calories and sodium has also increased. The average portion size of fast food entrees nearly quadrupled between 1986 and 2016, with entrees increasing by 30 calories per decade. The amount of sodium also increased nearly 5 percent for entrees during that time frame.

Read more: Fast Food Delivers Even More Calories Than Decades Ago

4. A look into the changing hospital dining scene  

Try and look past the headline of this article—it is the New York Post, after all—and you can read about the changes taking place in hospital foodservice across the country. From hiring chefs with Michelin stars to offering meal delivery after discharge, hospitals are truly walking the food-as-medicine walk.

Read more: Crappy hospital food is finally getting a gourmet makeover

5. College pulls plastic straws

Straws have become the latest go-to item for removal for environmental reasons, and students at Florida A&M University (FAMU) will no longer see them on campus. FAMU dining services provider Metz decided to pull plastic straws last week in an effort to reduce waste, saying it will use lids that do not require straws in several dining locations instead.

Read more: Metz eliminates plastic straws on campus

Bonus: Elior CEO to step down

Contact Becky Schilling at [email protected].

Follow her on Twitter: @bschilling_FM