This past weekend, students at Oakland University were shocked to discover that the Vandenberg Dining Hall was completely closed for lunch and dinner — without any announcement or communication from the university.

Instead, students were left to figure things out on their own when they realized that the only weekend options were two to three food court restaurants. Many students did not even know that these locations would be open, leading to confusion and, for some, missed meals.

Students pay thousands of dollars for meal plans with the expectation of access to the full dining hall experience, which includes variety, balanced nutrition, and unlimited servings. A single meal swipe at the food court does not provide equivalent value. For instance, at the sub shop, a swipe only covers a half sub, chips, and a drink — an appropriate meal for some, but completely inadequate for athletes, students with higher caloric needs, or anyone who simply wants a full meal.

This change also created chaos and unsustainable working conditions for food court employees. With the entire campus funneled into just a couple of locations, staff were overwhelmed, lines were extremely long, and food ran out quickly. This situation is neither fair to students nor safe for employees.

We, the students, are calling on Oakland University to:
1. Immediately reopen the Vandenberg Dining Hall on weekends for lunch and dinner.
2. If full reopening is not possible, expand weekend dining options significantly to prevent overcrowding and ensure all students can eat.
3. Ensure transparency by clearly notifying students of any future changes well in advance.
4. Guarantee meal swipe value equivalence, so students receive the same amount of food they paid for.

This decision directly impacts our health, well-being, and trust in the university. Students deserve transparency and access to the services we were promised and paid for.

Please sign this petition to show your support for bringing back weekend dining hall meals and holding the university accountable.