UA Dining

Derrick Seay
Director of Residential Dining
Box 870389 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487

Dear Mr. Seay,
I am writing this letter regarding the dining policies here at The University of Alabama. I know the University has a very special relationship with the city of Tuscaloosa and its merchants. The University not only provides multiple employment opportunities for the citizens of Tuscaloosa, but also brings in numerous amounts of revenue from students as well as people visiting the University for various seminars, programs and athletic events. Because of this unique relationship, it would seem that the University and the merchants of the city of Tuscaloosa could work together to help solve an issue many students face because of a small budget.

We are all aware that first year undergraduate students are required by the University to participate in a meal plan known as “Dining Dollars,” in which they must purchase a non-refundable meal plan for each semester. This is not a bad thing considering it helps many students, who are away from home for the first time, learn to budget. It also assures them that they will always have money for food in the event that they mismanage their budgeted allowance. It also provides students with convenient places on campus to meet with friends and eat. Dining Dollars that go unused at the end of the first semester transfer over to the second semester, which is helpful so that students do not lose their money. After the second semester of the school year, any unused Dining Dollars are transferred over to Bama Cash, another monetary program used by the University. This plan sounds good on paper, but it is not as good as it seems. It limits the students to the specified dining halls and also restricts the times in which students can eat. As you know many students are involved in multiple activities and organizations around campus and do not necessarily have a “normal dining hours” schedule and therefore miss the set cafeteria hours. It would be helpful for the students at the University if participating cafeterias were open during later hours for students in extracurricular activities or for those pulling the classic all-nighters to cram for a test.

The program known as “Bama Cash” is a well thought about idea for students. It is a good idea because this is a voluntary program in which a set amount of money is placed in your Bama Cash account on your Action Card, and essentially works as a descending credit card at participating locations not only on campus but around the city of Tuscaloosa as well. This allows students the freedom to choose from a wide variety of restaurants, as well as the flexibility of times at which they can dine, instead of having to stay on campus eating at one of the University’s dining halls. Also, I can see how it can be a very essential program to students whose parents like to keep a close watch on their financial situation, while at the same time helping students learn how to budget. On the down side, it would appear to me that Bama Cash seems to be just another unnecessary form of money. It could just as well be transferred onto a debit card, given that most students at the University hold accounts at national banks. Furthermore, the problem arises since Dining Dollars are mandatory, many students cannot also afford to purchase Bama Cash as well, which would allow them the variety and flexibility they desire. With tuition prices as high as they are, and considering our current economic status, students are trying to find the most affordable solutions for dining on campus. It is understandable that the University prefers students to use Dining Dollars over Bama Cash since the money generated from Dining Dollars is guaranteed to be used on campus. However, I believe that both the goals of increasing University revenue and allowing the students more freedom in choosing where they dine can be achieved by combining the Dining Dollar and Bama Cash programs. This is where the unique relationship between the University and the merchants of Tuscaloosa comes into play. By allowing Dining Dollars and Bama Cash to be combined into one program, it would progress toward the goal of continued success for both the University and the city of Tuscaloosa.

The University could still require undergraduate students to purchase a pre-determined meal plan; however it would include not only the University cafeterias, but also participating restaurants around the city of Tuscaloosa as well. In return, participating restaurants would pay the University a fee, similar to what a credit card company would charge, in order to allow the students to use their meal plan at that restaurant. This would greatly increase dining options for students while also increasing revenue for both the University and local merchants. Students would also not be left with wasted and unused money on their dining plans.

It is essential for the University and the merchants of the City of Tuscaloosa to work together to provide the best atmosphere for the students of the University of Alabama. This not only includes the high educational programs that are available, but also the residential and dining options available to the students on and around campus. The dining options set up on campus are very helpful to our students, but can be even more successful with a merger into one simple monetary option. I believe this only enhances what makes the University of Alabama such a desirable place for incoming students. Increased enrollment not only benefits the University of Alabama but also the city of Tuscaloosa as well and will assure the continued success of both. Thank you for your consideration of my ideas and if you would like to discuss these ideas further, I would enjoy the opportunity to discuss them with you at your convenience.


Sincerely,
John Doe