To the Editor:
Yes, the new and improved minimum, non-refundable DBA plan is pretty stiff, especially compared to what we have now. But please think of all sides of the issue before you send all these angry letters. Dartmouth Dining Services certainly needs to thoroughly look at their books and examine all their costs, especially after the whole Bob Jetty fiasco and the lawsuits attached with it. It should probably look at what things/services/people are not essential. And it should definitely try to ask students and administrators alike for help.
But we students should also understand the incredible costs involved in keeping something like Thayer Dining Hall operational from 7am till 1am. It is one large building, and a very old one at that. We should also understand that the food we get here, although I'm thoroughly sick of it after four years, is of good quality, and there's plenty of choice. Prices are high, but so are they around town. If you want to eat cheaply, you really have to make your own. There are two sides to this whole deal. DDS needs to be honest and open, and to ask for help, and we need to understand the cost and problems of running this place and explain to them (if need be time and time again) that the Burlap Coffee stand is not a good idea, and that all-chicken-all-you-can-eat programs may not be that inspiring also. One last thing -- how come the College doesn't help DDS out? If we, the students, have no way of getting out of paying for a meal plan, the College should not have a way of not getting out of keeping an eye out for DDS. Maybe then money wouldn't be swindled so easily, and costs would be kept a little more in check.
