Central State University students living in the new Marauder Pride Community residence hall are upset that they are required to buy a meal plan. The apartment style rooms in the building come equipped with a full kitchen including a stove and refrigerator.
“I don’t understand why we are forced to have a meal plan,” senior Diahnna Sears said. “I have probably been to the cafeteria twice since I have been living in the new building.”
Residence Life Director Justyn Fry says that university has tried to accommodate students in the new dorm. “Residence Life has added additional plans for students who are living in apartment style spaces,” he said. “These reduced meal plans were created, because students now have those kitchen amenities.”
The cheapest meal plan now available is the Marauder Gold Plan. It costs just under 13 hundred dollars a term.
Diane Rader, the Operations Manager for Sodexo Magic, the food service provider at Central State, says that the new dorm hasn’t affected business in the cafeteria. “I know students have a full kitchen in their rooms and that there’s a vending machine in the main lobby, but students still come to the cafeteria to socialize with friends.”
The Marauder Pride Community opened its doors in October of 2019 and houses more than 250 upperclassmen.