Hungry Eagles flock to the dining hall, with great options come great responsibilities

by ERMILA MAZARIEGOS

Staff Writer

With endless options comes great responsibilities. Choosing when and what to eat every day is a semester-long assignment that is brand new to most first-years. For all things food-related, on-campus dining is a freshman’s newest and most mysterious best friend. 

Stepping onto a college campus for the first time, freshmen are met with a whirlwind of new experiences, but none is quite as flavorful as the adventure that awaits them in on-campus dining. 

The first two weeks of the fall semester are officially over, which means we have had a few days to get to know what the dining hall and other on-campus dining options have to offer.

When I walked into the Top of the CRUC for the first time, I was hit with a whirlwind of emotions. I was hungry, overwhelmed and anxious all at once. No tables were open; even worse, I had no idea what to eat. Seeing everyone in their big friend groups made me feel out of place and lonely. Had I missed a friendship-making seminar or something? 

Many other students shared the same feeling. 

“The biggest issue I’ve experienced in the dining hall is not being able to find a table because at prime lunchtime, noon, all the tables are taken,” said freshman Kelly Ross. 

During Welcome Week, the lines were long and filled with hungry students ready to sit down and have a bite to eat. Students either had to choose whether to wait in these lines or to find another option for food. If they waited, certain food items weren’t always guaranteed. 

“There’s been times where I don’t get in line because it’s too long or sometimes they run out of food,” said freshman Maite Guzman. 

After the initial buzz of Welcome Week died down, lines diminished and more tables were free at the dining hall. 

I felt more comfortable exploring the dining options and sitting down to eat at the Top of the CRUC once the initial craze settled. With the long lines gone, I can choose to get food from any section without having to worry about excessive waiting time. More tables are also free now, which makes it less stressful when I want to sit down, relax and enjoy my food. 

When I first started to get a taste of the dining hall food, I was nervous. I needed to make sure I was getting a balanced meal, while still enjoying the food I was consuming. The food options served on campus are another new aspect of college life that can be either a positive or negative change for new students. Some options offered at UMW include pasta, sandwiches, salads and a variety of desserts.

“I really like the variety of options because there are all sorts of different food groups offered,” said freshman Isabel Sowry. 

The section that quickly won over my tastebuds was the grill. With a savory cheeseburger that can be adorned with toppings of your choice and classic fries, I know I can always rely on the grill line for a quick, but delectable dinner. 

“I’m pretty satisfied. I don’t find myself eating the same thing two days in a row,” said Ross.

The dining hall also provides a separate section called Simple Servings for students with specific dietary needs.  

“Since I have allergies and food restrictions, I would say due to there being an option at the Simple Servings line, I feel like it is easier for me to have that food available,” said freshman Valeria Vargas Perez. 

For other students, some say that the options served could be more diverse. 

“I’d say that the options are good, however, I’m used to eating more international foods daily so it’s been a little challenging to get used to,” said freshman Devda Nair. 

While on-campus dining options span across campus, the dining hall at the top of the CRUC is conveniently located in the heart of campus and is just a short walk from most freshman dorms. 

“[The CRUC] is never far, especially from my residence hall [Willard], I can just walk there really quickly and I always have time before class in the morning to eat a little something,” said Sowry. 

However, some residents in Westmoreland Hall, such as myself, feel that the distance from the dorm to the dining hall is longer than that of friends who live in Virginia or Willard Hall. I have to trek down the dreaded Westmoreland hill, cross or go around Ball Circle and then walk up those daunting CRUC stairs just to get my meal. It can get annoying, especially in the mornings when I have an 8 a.m. class and am running to get a little something to eat. 

However, UMW does make dining at the CRUC relatively easy for residential freshmen through an automatic, unlimited meal plan. With this plan, first-year students living on campus do not have to worry about running out of meal swipes.

“I think because I am a freshman, I’m going to take advantage of that unlimited Eagle One plan,” said Perez. 

For many freshmen, the Top of the CRUC offers the most convenient on-campus dining option. Its proximity to first-year residence halls, unlimited meal swipe access and the variety of food options make the dining hall a great place to start your journey in getting to know the UMW campus community.