Ever since NANA management took over last year, there has been some controversy concerning the cafeteria and food services.

Many students believe there has been an increase in prices and a lack of diversity in foods. There have also been questions raised about the meal plans that the freshmen living in Banfield and students living in the apartments are required to have.

Some of the students with vegan or vegetarian preferences also believe that there is a lack of diversity in the choices offered by the cafeteria.

Ryan Cortes a 19-year-old from Puerto Rico, a freshman majoring in elementary education at UAS, prefers to eat some of the vegetarian options.

Cortes feels that although they do offer a vegetarian selection at the cafeteria, it is pretty limited. “Every day it seems like they have something vegetarian, but they only have it as an entrée, so you only have one choice. If you are vegetarian or vegan you only have one thing to choose from that is vegetarian friendly, while if you order from the grill you have a lot more choices. I think they could definitely improve but it’s not the worst.”

Students living in the apartments on campus tend to not go to the cafeteria at all, but make food in their apartments. According to Victoria Spencer a 23-year-old from Sacramento Cali., who is currently taking general studies and living in the apartments: “It’s just more convenient to go to the store and buy something to cook than to walk down to the cafeteria every time you want to get something to eat.”

Ian MacDougall a 20-year-old junior mathematics major from Astoria, Ore. shared some of Spencer’s views. “I think I’ve eaten at the cafeteria maybe 4 times. It is just much more convenient to cook at the apartments.”

MacDougall also gave his opinion about the meal plan some students are required to have. “I don’t see the point in having a meal plan with $250. It seems like a waste. I can understand having it for freshmen since they don’t have the kitchens we do. They would eat a lot of Ramen otherwise.”

Ashlyn Voorhees is an 18-year-old freshman from Eagle Point Ore. seeking an associate’s degree in nursing.  She believes that the cafeteria is very well-located. “I eat there about 3 times a day. I get a salad and then between my classes I get chips and stuff later on. It is pretty convenient since all my classes are in the Egan building, I just walk over.” 

First year students Taylor Murph and Aria Chipley, who live in Banfield, expressed their opinions about the meal plan and the food from the cafeteria.

“I don’t think freshmen understand the college experience, so it’s probably a lot easier for them to get the meal plan,” When asked about the meal plan required for Banfield residents, Murph a 19-year-old from Ketchikan majoring in marine biology said, “Then they can have an option for meals and not worry about running out of money.”

Chipley, from Gustavus, Alaska and is taking general studies, thought the food served at the cafeteria was satisfactory. “For a small campus, it is pretty varied. I think they put in a good effort to give us some healthy options.”

Both Chipley and Murph said they thought items from the grill were pretty pricey.  According to John Ames, the General Manager of Dining Services on campus, the grill is one of the more expensive food choices offered in the cafeteria.

Ames pointed out that although nearly all prices on the menu have been increased, the grill and beverage prices are the ones that people are noticing. “There has been a change for approximately 10% of existing menu items.  Since the energy crisis in Juneau this past spring, and until recently with the skyrocketing costs of fuel, the overall prices from our distributors have increased over 50% in some cases.” NANA has been forced to increase prices due to these energy costs.

Ames also explained some of the changes that have taken affect since NANA took over last year.

“Grab n Go items have appeared in the Mourant Café, Spikes Café and the Bear’s Pantry. Daily vegetarian options are offered at the Mourant Café for lunch and dinner as well as a fourfold increase in Bear’s Pantry items.” And that is just listing a few.

Student Government and the administration have recently agreed to implement a program that will place 100% biodegradable containers in the cafeteria. Items replaced would include hot and cold cups, 6 inch plates, soup bowls, to-go containers and flatware.

There will be additional charges for these items due to the higher cost of them. These charges are being passed on to everyone at the same cost as they are purchased.

If students are interested in attending one of these Student Government and Administration meetings and hearing what is going to be planned for the dinning services, there are meetings the last Friday of every month.