Students at Langston University expressed some dissatisfaction with the meal choices available in the cafeteria housed in the campus student success center during the semester Fall 2022. As the café was still under construction, a takeout option was available for Langston University students at the beginning of the semester.
Langston University had a soft opening for the cafeteria since there is still some construction, on Sept. 30, 2022. This allows students to sit down and eat in the cafe.
On Sept. 26, 2022, The Gazette conducted a survey of 100 students to find out if Langston University students liked the food served in the cafe. 29% of the students surveyed liked the food compared to 71% of students who did not like the food being provided in the cafe.
After the café had its soft opening on Oct. 6, 2022, The Gazette conducted the same survey again to see if the food selections improved, or if perceptions of the food quality changed with a change in the environment. Another group of 100 Langston University students was asked the same question, “Do you like the food at the cafe?” This time, 32% of the students liked the food, and 68% of the students do not like the food being served in the cafe. Since the cafe’s soft opening, 3% more students now like the meals there.
Given the extremely minor change, the results of the Gazette poll demonstrate that there has been little to no change in student opinion. Langston University students are dissatisfied with the food itself and not just with the format of how the food was provided to them.
Jessica Sweet, a Senior Health, Physical Education and Recreation Major and the SGA President at Langston University, has been hearing about food issues from the students.
“I have heard some concerns… we have reported that back to Aladdin. I know that the food committee actually did surveys on their Senate outreach.” Aladdin is the food company that supplies Langston University.
The food committee and SGA are trying to implement some changes to address student concerns regarding the food in the cafe.
“I know that they are trying to implement more options… more vegetarian and vegan options… More than just everyday options that we do have,” Sweet said. “The food committee is definitely doing the work in regards to meeting with Aladdin and the representatives from Aladdin… We are expecting a lot more change to take place.”
Ericka Paul, a Junior Business Management Major, is the chairperson of the food committee. She had a meeting with Aladdin, along with the rest of the food committee. This meeting provided some information about the changes to expect.
“After meeting with Aladdin, we were told to be on the lookout for more options. Those options included a salad bar, grill station, pasta line, sandwich line, all-day cereal bar, pizza line and a comfort and soul food line,” Paul said.
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The Gazette serves as the student voice of Langston University. It is produced within the Department of Communication as a teaching tool and local news source for the campus community. The views and opinions expressed within are those of the writers whose names appear with the articles and do not necessarily represent the views of Langston University.
