2008 Woodie Awards
Meal plan costs set to jump 4.5%
By: Adam Louis
Issue date: 3/20/08 Section: Campus
Rising oil costs is the biggest of several factors driving up the prices at University dining halls next year.
University Dining Services will be raising the cost of meal plans by 4.5 percent for the next year, said Dining Services Director Gail Finan. This means the Bronze Plan will go up to approximately $1,400, the Silver to $1,660 and the Gold to $1,814.
Normally, food plan prices rise an average of 3 percent per year.
The rapidly rising cost of oil and gasoline is a significant factor in the decision to raise food plan prices, Finan said.
"If we don't get control of what we're charging for gas, we haven't seen anything," Finan said.
The food products themselves, accounting for 40 percent of Dining Services' budget, have become pricier due to gas prices, shortages in grains and severe weather.
The devastation of Hurricane Katrina has dramatically raised the price of sugar, said Dining Services Associate Director of Business Affairs Charles Wiersma.
As a result of the devastation to the sugar crop, Coca-Cola has raised its juice prices significantly. The University cannot switch to a less expensive brand due to a pouring rights contract, which means Coca-Cola and its affiliate beverages are to be served exclusively at the University in exchange for sponsorship.
Labor wages also contribute to the food price hike. Finan said minimum wage in Ohio is supposed to rise in January 2009, further adding to expenses.
In addition to a rise in food plan charges, rollover has been eliminated as of next year.
Wiersma said Dining Services do not receive meal plan money until the students spend it. The money is placed in a special account, and Dining Services plans its budget for the nine-month school period around that amount.
Without student spending, there is no income, Wiersma said.
Dining Services has just finished paying off the Rogers renovations and will be paying for renovations in Kreischer until 2011, Wiersma said.
University Dining Services will be raising the cost of meal plans by 4.5 percent for the next year, said Dining Services Director Gail Finan. This means the Bronze Plan will go up to approximately $1,400, the Silver to $1,660 and the Gold to $1,814.
Normally, food plan prices rise an average of 3 percent per year.
The rapidly rising cost of oil and gasoline is a significant factor in the decision to raise food plan prices, Finan said.
"If we don't get control of what we're charging for gas, we haven't seen anything," Finan said.
The food products themselves, accounting for 40 percent of Dining Services' budget, have become pricier due to gas prices, shortages in grains and severe weather.
The devastation of Hurricane Katrina has dramatically raised the price of sugar, said Dining Services Associate Director of Business Affairs Charles Wiersma.
As a result of the devastation to the sugar crop, Coca-Cola has raised its juice prices significantly. The University cannot switch to a less expensive brand due to a pouring rights contract, which means Coca-Cola and its affiliate beverages are to be served exclusively at the University in exchange for sponsorship.
Labor wages also contribute to the food price hike. Finan said minimum wage in Ohio is supposed to rise in January 2009, further adding to expenses.
In addition to a rise in food plan charges, rollover has been eliminated as of next year.
Wiersma said Dining Services do not receive meal plan money until the students spend it. The money is placed in a special account, and Dining Services plans its budget for the nine-month school period around that amount.
Without student spending, there is no income, Wiersma said.
Dining Services has just finished paying off the Rogers renovations and will be paying for renovations in Kreischer until 2011, Wiersma said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
a
posted 3/20/08 @ 2:12 PM EST
First Finan says it's "not about you" to students when UDS is taking our money without our permission, and then has the gall to say "'We appreciate that students felt like they weren't involved as much in the past," Finan said. (Continued…)
b
posted 3/20/08 @ 2:19 PM EST
see what happens when you switch from Pepsi Co. to Coca-Cola Co.?
c
posted 3/22/08 @ 2:23 AM EST
And when the switch from pepsi to coke was made it was a totally unllateral desision done in the summer of 2007.
kinda sneaky maybe?
d
posted 3/22/08 @ 12:33 PM EST
Alright, I understand why the prices in the dining halls have to raise due to the rising gas prices, however that really doesn't explain why the MEAL PLAN rates need to go up. (Continued…)
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