Many are not aware that a few years back there was a moment when food was being offered at Elings. The reason behind this was due to students having lack of time to make it to the cafeteria due to the distance or class conflicts. Although it was only tried out for a short period, there is a possibility of it being tried out once again depending on Grand View students.
Amanda Riordan is the dining services food director and has been with the GVU community since 2020. She initially began as a chef, then in 2021 she moved to her current role.
“Food desert at Eilings, that’s why we picked that location because it seems that was where a lot of the request was coming from, from students in that building who did not have time between labs to get over here and then get back from class,” Riordan said.
Due to students’ complaints about not being able to make it to the dining hall for mealtimes, GVU searched for a solution. They had sandwiches, salads, wraps with a rack of chips and a variety of drinks available in Eilings.
“The feedback was great, we started strong we did it for Tuesday and Thursday and it might’ve been the days we chose and we did some days in the second week, and sales went down and customers went down,” Riordan said.
Currently there is only a vending machine in the building, but it can only do so much for students. Students who are consistently on that side of campus need to resort to bringing their own lunch or wait until they can find time which is not always ideal considering meal plans are involved.
Blair Burnham, a second-year pre-med student here at GVU, was able to share her perspective towards how it feels to be a student where meals are difficult to get in when there is a lack of time.
“Personally, I am there Mondays and Wednesdays, especially from 9 a.m. – 3:20 p.m. and I genuinely have to either pack snacks or I just don’t eat during the day because I have no time between classes,” Burnham said.
As a student, especially student athletes, there should not be a complete dependance on relying on simply not eating or surviving off snacks, it does not bring success towards our body in the long term. Burnham touches on how she feels it affects her.
“I definitely feel like low energy during the day because by my third or fourth class, I am like dead, half the time I am not paying attention, or I rely on energy drinks to get me through the day,” Burnham said.
Although there are more students who share the same experience as Burnham, many students are not aware that you are able to put in feedback with QR codes around GVU as well as if you reach out to an adult, the more students want something and vouch for it there is a possibility of students getting the chance to see food items at Elings or anything else if it is something the majority wants.
“No, I did not know that was a thing at all, most of the time whenever I see QR codes I always assume it is for a sign up, I do not really look at them so much,” Burnham said.
There are many resources available for students at GVU, the more you seek information about what is available or can be created, there is a possibility of making something more happen if it is in demand. There are staff waiting to hear what you would like on campus!
