BU Cafeteria Stops Giving out To-go Boxes
Photo provided by Rampage student photographer Abby Gasperson.
Bluefield University students will no longer be allowed to take food from the cafeteria in to-go boxes.
Dean of Students Chris Johnson announced the new cafeteria policy in an email to students on February 26. In the announcement, Johnson said the cafeteria will no longer be providing to-go boxes and that “all food must remain in the cafe during regular meal hours.” The new rule went into effect on March 4.
“We have decided to get rid of to-go boxes in order to return to compliance with our original contract with Pioneer,” Johnson said. “To-go boxes were given by the cafeteria as an exception in the midst of the global pandemic. As things have been steadily returning to normal, we are simply returning back to our written agreement with Pioneer’s policies.”
Johnson also said he believes the return of the policy will give students the opportunity to share meals together in the cafeteria as a community.
“Breaking bread together is a powerful thing,” Johnson said. “I personally have loved getting lunch and many dinners in the cafe with students since the change.”
Food Services Director Kevin Rosney added that eliminating the to-go boxes will also be better for the environment.
“With the cafeteria operating as an all-you-can-eat continuous service establishment, our policy has always been that food cannot leave the cafeteria unless permission is granted by Student Development,” Rosney said. “We allowed unlimited to-go boxes due to COVID restrictions, but we decided to go back to the original policy since the COVID restrictions have been lifted, as well as the negative impact on the environment that excessive disposable to-go boxes cause.”
Rosney said to-go cups and cutlery will still be provided, but that’s not enough according to BU student Jace Corbett who expressed frustration with the elimination of to-go boxes.
“I hate the fact and completely disagree with how the cafe got rid of to-go boxes,” Corbett said. “We are in college and all pay tuition and expenses to go here, and they are going to tell us we, as adults, have to sit in the cafe to eat meals. This is inconsiderate and selfish of the school and the front office.”
Corbett added that a significant majority of students at BU are athletes who have difficult schedules that don’t allow them to always make the traditional meal times.
“It’s affected me because I can’t always make meal times with my schedule for football and priorities in the chapel band. Now I have to worry about spending my own money outside getting fast food because the school won’t accommodate the schedule they made for me.”
Addressing Corbett’s concern, Johnson said exceptions to the new rule can be made for individuals who receive permission from the Office of Student Development. Qualifying reasons for an exception include conflicting work hours or other obligations that present “substantial obstacles” for students to enjoy their meal during the cafeteria’s operating hours.
“I understand students may not agree with the policy, but I am hopeful they will come to understand the benefit of eating together in the cafe,” Johnson said. “Additionally, my door is open for students with any concerns.”
Other students expressed concerns about the new policy, citing reasons from convenience to anxiety.
“This has affected me in many ways,” said one student who wished to remain anonymous. “I like the to-go boxes because the cafeteria does not clean their plates and utensils well. You will always find some food on them. I liked the to-go boxes because I was able to stay away from those germs. It also helped with my busy schedule when not having time to eat in the cafeteria. I have social anxiety, and sometimes the cafeteria is too loud and crowded for my comfort.”
Students who wish to request a “special accommodation” to take their meals to-go must submit an email request to studentdevelopment@bluefield.edu.