To the Editor:
The article published this week comparing SmartChoice to other college meal plans ("Meal Plans Cost Less Than Other Ivies'," Jan. 9) does not adequately portray the relative cost of the plans to Dartmouth students. The article states "the College's recently instituted meal plans cost roughly the same amount as those of Dartmouth's peer institutions." This is not the case. In fact, Dartmouth students are required to purchase much more expensive plans than their peers at other schools.
SmartChoice5 is the most expensive minimum meal plan for on-campus upperclassmen among the six Ivies that offer multiple options. Each year, students living on campus must pay Dartmouth Dining Services at least $4,320 the mean minimum price among our five peers is $2,834 per year. Students are dissatisfied with this steep price. In a recent Student Assembly survey, 65 percent of students rated the meal plans 3 or less on a scale from 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent).
Dartmouth students deserve affordable, flexible meal plan options. The fact that two-thirds of upperclassmen have switched to SmartChoice5 indicates that there is greater demand for a cheaper meal plan. Additionally, a majority of respondents to the Student Assembly survey suggested total elimination of meal swipes and return to a DBA-only system. As major stakeholders, students should develop informed opinions about possible revisions to the meal plans and voice their concerns. The College administration should work to provide students with smaller, simpler meal plans that reflect student demand.
