Freshmen Lose ‘Freedom'

By News Editor Kevin Loker

When the time comes for incoming freshmen to choose a meal plan for the fall semester, “Freedom” won’t be an option.

Starting in the fall, resident freshmen will be required to choose from two categories of meal plans, “Block” or “Traditional.” The “Freedom” option, which operates as a balance of dollars and is currently open to all George Mason University residents for use at any dining location on campus, will only be open to upperclassmen.

The change comes largely in response to the success of Southside, Mason’s new dining hall. Since its opening in October 2008, the facility has erased the stigma of Mason’s dining hall experience, attracting a crowd of not only traditional meal plans, but those with Freedom as well.

“[We made the decision because] we wanted to be sure that freshmen transition to leaving home and coming away to college,” said Denise Ammaccapane, resident district manager of Sodexo. “[Southside helps freshmen] by having the experience of community while dining and providing them the options to make healthy or otherwise choices in Southside.”

According to Ammaccapane, the success of Southside motivated other changes in meal plans as well. Four traditional meal plans with a set number of meals per week are available to students next fall. The “Ultimate” plan allows unlimited access exclusively to Southside. Four block plans, with a set number of meals for the semester are available as well. Only one Freedom plan, “Freedom Rings,” will be available next year, and costs $1,600 per semester.

“[We] wanted to give more options for both resident and nonresident students now that we have Southside,” said Ammaccapane. “Pending what your dining habits are, Freedom is not always the answer.”

While many students with Freedom may enjoy frequently eating at Southside, they do pay a door-price of $8.75 from their funds every time their card is swiped.

In a Block or Traditional meal plan, one swipe at Southside translates to $5 out of the meal plan’s entire cost. Because of the facility’s intention as a residential dining hall, opting for a plan other than Freedom provides a better value.

Student reaction to the decision is mixed.
“It seems stupid, as if the university is trying to control more,” said junior psychology major Ian Masson.

“In my opinion, let the freshmen choose what they want,” said freshman electrical engineering major, Justin Lokke. “It does force them to eat a lot more at Southside, which, I guess, though is a good thing.”

Lokke added that the selection at Southside allows more options than other locations on campus for a student to eat healthy or less healthy, depending on how they wish to eat.

In deciding what meal plan to choose, regardless of class year, Ammaccapane emphasizes the best plan “really depends on how you eat.” Individual students have to decide how often they will eat in a week, if they want to keep track of meals over a semester and then try a plan out.

“Worse comes to worst, you can always upgrade,” said Ammaccapane.
A complete list of meal plans, usage rules and prices for the fall semester can be found online at http://mealplans.gmu.edu.