Each weekend, Dartmouth Dining Services raises prices on many baked goods, and although the price changes have been in place since Fall term, DDS has not yet informed students.
For example, the price of a brownie at Food Court during the week is 85 cents, but on Fridays and Saturdays, the price is raised to $1.25.
The reason for the price increase is that baked goods must be purchased from outside vendors on weekends because DDS laid off 11 employees, including its weekend baker, as part of a money-saving reform last term.
Before the employee cutbacks, three bakers worked at Food Court, West Side Buffet and Home Plate, DDS Director Tucker Rossiter said. Now, there are only two bakers who work only during the week, so DDS must purchase baked goods elsewhere on weekends, Rossiter said.
Rossiter said the price increase was not implemented so DDS can make money. "It's just that the products we purchase from outside venders cost more than we can afford ourselves," he said.
The weekend price changes will continue as long as DDS buys goods from outside vendors, he said.
In a referendum last April, an overwhelming majority of students said they would rather give up some dining options than spend a mandatory $800 minimum for a declining balance account. As a result, students were given a more flexible meal plan and DDS cut 20 jobs -- eleven union workers, five non-union workers and four managers.
DDS has lost more than $1 million since 1994, when then-Director Pete Napolitano instituted a meal plan that made it easier for students to eat off campus. Reforms this year, such as laying off employees and closing dining halls during slow afternoon hours have been an attempt to turn profit.
None of the students interviewed were aware of the weekend price changes.
Erin Maxwell '01 said she does not pay attention to the prices she pays, but "it makes no sense for change."
Tai Antoine '01 said she will not buy Food Court baked goods now that she knows about the price change. "We already pay exorbitant fees for meals as it is," she said.
Kristin Verdiani '01 said, "I had no idea this was happening, and they should have told us."
Rossiter said he plans to advertise the weekend price adjustment by the end of the week.
