Changes to the Great Room

There were a lot of changes to the Great Room decided a few months ago that I never reported on due to laziness but the most important one is that you will no longer be able to swipe in friends. This really sucks, a lot. I think this was one of the best ways to foster community on campus.

Swiping - v - The act of purchasing two meal entries into the Great Room with a single student I.D. card. Generally younger students swipe in older students (who have smaller meal plans) or visiting friends/lovers. "Hey...would you mind swiping me in? You have way more 'blocks' than you could ever use."

I know that personally I got smaller meal plans every year, and by my senior year I didn't even get a meal plan. Instead I would rely on younger folks to swipe me in. It was a great system, I get food, and they get to eat with someone old/cool/knowledgeable. I made a few friends this way, and it definitely helped me to bond with the younger members of my club sports team.

In most every society eating is a social activity (anthropology majors back me up, there is even a anthro course that is all about food), and the swipe system really helped to facilitate this. It can be hard for First Years to feel comfortable interacting with seniors, but the simple act of 'swiping' the two are suddenly on the same level, a symbiotic relationship, trading food for booze and parties.

I definitely see Bon Appetit's point of view on this. No one is supposed to actually use all those blocks. That's how they make their money. If everyone buys meal plans that exceed what they plan to eat, then they make a profit. If not, they will probably lose money.

The end of an era. I really wish I was eating in the great room right now (via making your own lunch every day sucks sometimes).

If the administration is serious about improving "community" on campus, then hopefully they will realize that this will only further divide the campus.