In response to Joost Bosland's Thursday column, I'd like to offer some facts and comparisons on Duke's Dining program.
While Duke's West Campus residents are required to purchase a $1315 dining plan each semester, that number pales in comparison to the University of Miami's $1483 per semester, Boston College's $1825 minimum plan including a $100 non-refundable Capital Restoration Fee and Stanford's over $2000 minimum residential plan.
Furthermore, options at these schools or any others aren't even close to our more than 20 on-campus options plus delivery on points. That sounds like a competitive market to me. From Italian to Asian, Mexican to McDonald's, Tofu to Steak, 24 hours a day you can get an impressive variety of items with your points.
As for Bosland's accusations of Duke or Duke Dining screwing over the local community, students can choose to spend all of their dining points patronizing local eateries by ordering from 1 of the 13 Merchants on Points vendors.
Finally, I don't know where Bosland purchased a $9 chicken wrap but it certainly wasn't the Great Hall ($5.50 with chips and soda), Alpine Atrium ($5.75), or Subway ($5.39). Bosland, or anyone else with concerns about our dining system, is welcome to voice their concerns to Duke's Student Dining Advisory Committee by writing to dusdac@duke.edu or to go right to Dining Services Director Jim Wulforst who is eager to meet student regarding our Duke's Dining Program which he has worked so hard to cultivate.
Sean Biederman
Emma Batcheleder
The authors are DUSDAC Co-chairs
Biederman is also a Recess writer.
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