Students at EMU returned to campus this week only to find that many of their usual dining spots had shut down for good. In an email on August 18, university officials explained that these changes were made to reflect student preferences.
“This shift aims to better align with your dining habits,” the email stated, signed by E|Dining and Walter Kraft, the vice president of communications.
The next day, a freshman named Jason Folk started a petition on Change.org called Restore Accessible Dining Options at EMU. As of August 27, it had garnered over 1,390 signatures. One student, Vincent from Summerville, expressed frustration, arguing that these cuts came after many had already bought meal plans.
During the last academic year, E|Dining had six food markets on campus, including locations in Pray-Harrold and the library. Now, only the library market and the Eateries remain open. The closures also affected four restaurants in the Student Center: TuTaco, BUILD, Oakwood Street Subs, and Happy Boba.
E|Dining announced plans to increase farmer’s markets at the Student Center this year. The remaining options include the cafeteria-style Commons, Chick-fil-A, the library market, Starbucks, and True Burger. A Little Caesars food truck will still serve lunch. Students can pay with meal plans, credit cards, or Flex, but the hours of operation have changed.
Residential students must purchase meal plans unless they live in campus apartments, while commuter students have the option to buy one. Recent data shows that around 70% of EMU students are commuters.
Meal plans vary from about $2,075 to $7,100 annually, depending on the number of meals chosen.
Senior Ethan Delaney, a financial planning major, shared his concerns: “As a commuter, the closures greatly impact me. I used to grab quick meals between classes, but those options are now gone. Without a dining plan, I have limited choices.”
In response to student feedback, the university sent another email on August 19. They promised more diverse offerings, including rotating chef stations and special dining nights. They also plan to donate 5% of True Burger’s sales to Swoop’s Pantry, aiming to enhance the dining experience overall.
“We know these changes are challenging, and we are committed to maintaining the quality and value of your meal plans,” the E|Dining team assured students.
