The Student Government Association (SGA) may have new dining options designed to put less of a strain on students’ wallets.
SGA is currently coming up with a plan to create a meal plan option for commuter students to purchase beginning in fall 2015, according to SGA’s Vice President of Student Services Teara Mayfield.
“Wouldn’t you pay $300 for thirty-five meals for a semester? There are several days as a college student where you just do not have any money and having a pre-paid meal plan would be great,” she said.
Mayfield is one of the organization’s officials who proposed the idea.
SGA Senator Joash Thomas said each meal would cost approximately $4 if a commuter student was to purchase the plan.
“We’re trying to value each meal around $4 so as to provide students with an affordable option that is unparalleled by any other meal service provider on/off campus,” Thomas said.
There would be many options available for these students as several plans would be offered and would start at difference price points, according to Mayfield.
“Some students would only want one meal a day whereas others may want two or three,” she said. “We are currently working out the kinks through my committee.”
The plan primarily focuses on commuter students but an extension for all students is not out of the question, according to Thomas.
“I don’t think this would be exclusive to commuters. But the plan is to make an alternative option for cheaper meals available to commuters because as it stands right now, we have a serious shortage of affordable options,” he said.
Justin Brightharp, Gregory Lafortune and Kyael Moss are additional SGA members who support this proposal. Senator Beau Evans also supports the plan, according to Thomas.
“A good chunk of our committee is comprised of commuter students so we understand the challenges that commuting students have to face on campus, especially when it comes to how expensive a simple lunch can be,” he said.
Mayfield said SGA is modeling the program after plans at locations such as Georgia Tech, Valdosta State University and the University of North Carolina.
“Tons of institutions across the nation have several meal plan options and that is just what Georgia State’s dining facilities are lacking – options,” Mayfield said.
SGA is looking to include small businesses and restaurants around campus into the meal plans, according to Thomas.
Rebecca Heikkioa, junior neuroscience major, said she finds it expensive to eat on campus and supports the idea of commuter meal plans.
“I think it’s a great idea because when I have back-to-back classes all day and I’m commuting, you can’t bring food that needs to be refrigerated. You don’t have time to prepare something,” she said.
The SGA organization is still working through the early stages and processes of the concept, according to Mayfield.
The current 7-Day Meal Plan at Georgia State costs students $1,863 per semester and includes breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. On the weekends, students have brunch and dinner.
The other option for students is the 5-Day Meal Plan, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. The price for this plan is $1,762 per semester, according to the university’s website.
Schools carrying similar plans charge higher prices than the figure estimated by Mayfield. Georgia Tech charges $993 for 75 meals per semester at its three Resident Dining Restaurants. The All-Access plan with unlimited access to these restaurants comes at the figure of $2,176, according to the college’s website.
The University of North Carolina prices its All-Access Plans at $2,050 per semester. The university’s most basic plan, which provides eight meals per week, costs $1,276, the university’s website states.
Senior Javie Pacheco said the plan would be welcomed despite finding food prices on campus normal.
“Just a bit of inflation but nothing out of the ordinary,” he said. “I think having a flat rate would not only help the students save money, but it will also make the line a bit faster at the register since sometimes they want to see what you’re buying sometimes.”
