Evaluating the food point system

We’ve all had the conversation before. It starts with, “Hey, want to get something to eat?” and then transitions to trying to figure out where to go on campus. The choice of where to eat is oftentimes based on the next question in the conversation: “How many food points do you have?” As we near the end of the term, and as students are deciding whether to add more food points to their meal plans or funds to their Flex accounts, we should look at what value food points bring to campus. What are the issues with the system as it currently exists?

An important aspect of this conversation concerns the new tax charge on food points. In the past, food points used on campus were exempt from taxes. Last year, however, this policy changed. Students who use food points on campus are now subject to an additional tax charge. For students who are on financial aid, this charge is covered by grants provided by the institution. Otherwise, this tax is a separate charge to students in addition to the price of the meal plan. With this additional tax, is it be more beneficial to do away with food points and just allow students to pay for everything using their Flex accounts?

In the opinion of the Board, food points are necessary and serve an important role for the student body. Access to food should not be something that students question during their time in college. Yes, the way that people budget their food depends upon their ability to pay and budget for meals, and we recognize that students have different levels of financial resources, but it is the job of the institution to provide stable eating options for its students.

Issues with the system as it exists require the administration to acknowledge that enforcing students to enroll in a plan that, at minimum, costs approximately $1500 for students who live on campus is problematic—especially when it is the case that excess points do not role over per year. This is, for many students, considered a waste of money when they also feel as though there are not many options worth spending their food points on.

Additionally, a common sentiment throughout the student body is that a student's ability to choose among various dining options is limited for a variety of reasons. For instance, the hours of operation at the Market Place force some first-year students to spend their limited food points on West Campus and waste swipes. Despite the availability of a variety of dining options on campus, the location and price of those options is an extremely important consideration. When these issues are taken into account, food points seem unnecessary at times.

However, by enforcing students to invest in a system that is solely for food, Duke is, in a very direct way, ensuring that its students eat. While some may take issue with this approach, it is good for maintaining students’ ability to obtain food. Replicating the dining hall buffet experience and providing more access to actual groceries are ways in which the administration may address the concern of waste. The goal of the institution should be to make sure its students have access to food and a way to adequately pay for it.