Stop requiring MCAD residents to purchase $600 cafe cards

this is crazy and unbelievable

wtf

The idea of forcing students into an overpriced meal plan is ridiculous. Give them the freedom they need to find affordable food that they enjoy.

I am a vegan and crossfit athlete. Fueling my body properly is really important, I appreciate this control over my own food.

As Adjunct Faculty, I stand with our students' needs for wellbeing, inclusion, and equity. In this case, it seems that not being able to opt-out of a campus-cafeteria-meal-plan with no options based on dietary needs is restrictive. Since these on-campus students are provided with kitchens, maybe learning to cook fresh food on their own is a better option for some? I do wonder what the reasoning is behind the mandatory fee of $600 per on-campus student, per semester? Has the Administration answered all your questions on the issue?

I have tons of anxiety around food, as well as sensory issues with loud/busy public spaces, so I never go to the Bistro for these reasons. I'm not eligible for financial aid, so I can't write it off on my FAFSA like they're suggesting students to do. This is just $600 that I have to pay for and that will never be used. Just make this optional and it's problem solved.

At $600 per semester, I would expect a VERY extensive list of menu items that cater to all types of food restrictions. Also, the bistro hours would need to be extended well into the evening so students have ample time to get the dinner they are forced to purchase. In addition, the bistro would need to be expanded to accommodate more students and social distancing. The bistro cannot accommodate what is being enforced without a massive overhaul first.

I recognize many former and current students here whom I proudly support. I believe our campus initiatives on Wellness should extend beyond the plate; we should look deeper at policies that would be a hardship—if not prohibitive—for many.

The $600 meal plan should not be forced!

This requirement is paternalistic at best, and predatory at worst.

I agree that this required $600 purchase for the in-school café is absolutely ridiculous. The café does not offer enough to be a sole provider to feeding our students as-is, and certainly not under covid circumstances. As a senior, I can say that I would never get enough bistro food to get to $600 through my whole 4 years here. This is not a feasible solution to keeping your students fed. I do not see or understand the reasoning behind this new implementation.

Why isn't this optional???

I was a resident student at MCAD my freshman year and hardly ever used the building's cafeteria. I relied on much more affordable options of buying my food from the grocery stores. I think it's outright malicious to force resident students to pay $600 for the cafeteria they may not use otherwise

MCAD has enough to offer to justify a $600 payment for a meal plan.

This is wack

600 a semester is unbelievable number students has pay to get to eat. I hope this gets sorted out

It's obvious the faculty doesn't care about the needs of students and forcing a $600 meal plan on housed students who have their own kitchen. It is totally unfair to students who are already suffering financially. This measure is predatory, classist and unacceptable at a school that claims to be so progressive.

Not everyone has 600 dollars laying around for a food plan that will likely not be used by the majority of the student body.

As a former student, I find this requirement ridiculous. While a Cafe meal plan is a wonderful OPTION, not everyone can afford an additional $600 charge to the already ridiculous tuition MCAD charges

I fully support this petition