Undergraduates living in residences are required to participate in a non-refundable university meal plan, unless a “suite assignment exemption applies.”
Students must pay all meal plan fees in accordance with Section II Payment and the Meal Plan Agreement.
Additionally, York University English Language Institute students are required to pay their residence and meal fees to YUELI prior to moving in and in accordance with the payment terms and instructions as set out by the YUELI Office.
University meal plans have been described by many as somewhat of a cash cow.
Michael Waglay, program coordinator at Meal Exchange, a charitable organization working to eradicate hunger on university campuses, says if York is interested in fighting poverty on campus then it should enact policies that reduce poverty among students.
“York could reduce tuitions fees, create more well-paying student jobs on campus or subscribe students to the meal plan at the university’s expense,” says Waglay, who thinks the meal plan could be a viable alternative for addressing student food insecurity if it is paid for by the campus administration.
Waglay interviewed former New York Times journalist and Pulitzer prize recipient Chris Hedges, who believes all students should receive a paid meal plan, and that students accessing campus food banks should be given a meal plan.
“This could be approached as a universal meal plan that every student gets, or as a system that gives students who cannot afford food a meal plan as an equity measure,” says Waglay.
[su_quote]“In one of the richest countries on Earth, no student should have to go hungry to get their education. Campuses and governments are both responsible for fulfilling students’ rights to education and all they need to access it.”[/su_quote]
Moreover, says Waglay, food service corporations such as Aramark can help to reduce student food insecurity by reducing their prices to a level that more students can afford.
For instance, Ryerson has a “friendly fiver.” For $5 you can get a quality meal at the cafeteria. A deal like this could lead to more customers, he adds. More students on a meal plan would also be within their financial interests.
“York also has the option of operating their own campus food service and generating their own income on food services.”
[su_pullquote]Last year at York, Aramark offered $5.50 specials that in most cases included an entrée, side and drink, at Stong, Winters, TEL, and Central Square cafeterias.[/su_pullquote]
Healthy Kitchen, which is a new concept introduced at the Stong Cafeteria last year, offered an entrée made from scratch (usually locally grown or sourced ingredients), with one side and a drink for $5.50, adds Janice Walls, media relations.
“This year, the Healthy Kitchen concept is spreading to the new Engineering building (Bergeron Centre) and Glendon, although it will be using different names at those locations.”
In addition, this year York is also providing students who purchase a meal plan with a coupon book that provides over $80 in savings.
Aramark’s contract could not be released to Excalibur.
Anthony Barbisan, director at YU-card, and Food and Parking Services released comments regarding the nature of York’s relationship with Aramark.
Contracts typically come in two flavours: a “Profit & Loss” (P&L) arrangement, or a “Management Fee” arrangement.
“In York’s case, we have a fairly typical P&L arrangement: Aramark operates various locations for us and pays the university a commission on gross sales,” says Barbisan.
“They also provide capital investments to build and/or fit-up locations.”
The university is responsible for the cost of utilities and basic facility maintenance (ceilings, floors, exhaust, etc.), he adds.
“As well as maintenance on equipment that the university owns, such as walk-in coolers, we have the same arrangement with businesses like the Orange Snail and the Absinthe Pub & Coffee Shop.”
Many institutions have similar arrangements, says Barbisan, although the allocation of costs, can vary. It depends on how the institution wants to structure or manage their contract, and sometimes on legacy issues (labour contracts, etc.). “Some institutions employ a Management Fee Arrangement, where the institution pays their service provider a management fee, and absorbs all operating revenues and costs. That provides greater control over the operations, but also potentially greater financial risk.”
Ryan Moore, News Editor
Featured image courtesy of Michael Zusev, Photo Editor
