Every semester, students at Alabama State University are promised better food options in the cafeteria. And every semester, we find ourselves staring at the same lackluster meals, asking the same question: What are we paying for? The disconnect between what is promised and what is delivered has left students frustrated, hungry and feeling robbed.
The cost of attending college is already exorbitant, and the meal plan is no exception. Students shell out thousands of dollars each semester, expecting at least decent food in return. But what we receive instead are low-quality meals served with little care for nutrition, variety or even basic transparency. It is baffling that in 2024, we cannot even be told what kind of fish is on our plates.
This is not just an issue of taste or preference, it is a question of value and respect. Why should students have to go through the serving line twice just to get an adequate amount of food? Why are we forced to settle for the same uninspired menu day after day? It is bad enough that eating hours are limited, leaving many students scrambling to get a meal before the cafeteria closes. The least the university can do is provide meals that are filling, flavorful and varied.
The lack of variety is glaring. Students do not even need an update on the menu because the options never change. Week after week, it is the same predictable rotation. Where are the fresh ideas? Where is the innovation? If we are paying premium prices, we should be getting premium service. Yet, it feels like we are being served the bare minimum and sometimes, not even that.
The situation has reached a point where students are questioning whether they even need a meal plan. I have overheard countless conversations where classmates and my peers debate the value of renewing their plans for next semester. Many have even considered opting out entirely, despite the challenges that come with that decision. And who can blame them? If the cafeteria food is unappetizing and unfulfilling and the three overpriced options in the Student Union are barely within reach, how are students supposed to eat?
The bigger question is, what happens to the students who cannot afford to supplement their diets elsewhere? The cafeteria is supposed to be a reliable option for all students, yet it is failing in its most basic purpose. For some, it is not just about bad food, it is about not having enough to eat at all.
Meanwhile, prices continue to rise with no visible improvement in quality. It is infuriating to watch the university profit from our dissatisfaction. If students are paying more, they should be getting more. Better ingredients, better preparation and better service. Instead, it feels like we are subsidizing a system that prioritizes cutting costs over meeting student needs.
Change is long overdue. Alabama State University must take student complaints seriously and make meaningful improvements to the dining experience. This starts with listening to feedback and acting on it, not just taking our complaints “like a grain of salt.” The university should rotate the menu frequently, incorporating meals that students actually want to eat. Improve transparency by clearly labeling all food options, including ingredients and allergens. Increase portions and ensure that every student receives an adequate amount of food in one serving.
The cafeteria is more than just a place to eat, it is a reflection of how the university values its students. Right now, that reflection is far from flattering. We deserve better, and it is time for Alabama State University to deliver on its promises.
Until then, the question remains: What are we paying for? Because it certainly is not the dining experience we were promised.
