The Student News Site of Northern Michigan University

The North Wind

The North Wind

The North Wind

Meet the Staff
Chloe Everson
Chloe Everson
Sports Editor

Hi! My name is Chloe and I am a fourth-year senior here at NMU. I am a Public Relations major and have always enjoyed sports. I love being outdoors, shopping, and drinking coffee at all hours of the...

The North Wind Editorial Sessions
About us

The North Wind is an independent student publication serving the Northern Michigan University community. It is partially funded by the Student Activity Fee. The North Wind digital paper is published daily during the fall and winter semesters except on university holidays and during exam weeks. The North Wind Board of Directors is composed of representatives of the student body, faculty, administration and area media.

PROFILE — Katie Buhrmann is a 2022 alum of NMU and the executive administrative assistant in NMUs Office of Institutional Effectiveness. She recently self-published her first book of poetry. Photo courtesy of Katie Buhrmann
Alumni Katie Buhrmann explores South Korea through language
Katarina RothhornMarch 28, 2024

Dining Services needs to focus on students

Staff Editorial

No matter which university you attend, odds are you’ve got some beef about the food service provided for you. Likewise, NMU Dining Services is often the target of an excessive amount of student complaints.

Lately, criticism has evolved beyond the quality of the food provided at locations such as the Marketplace and the Wildcat Den. The increase in the price of meal plans and the decreased operating hours at the dining facilities have sent some students to bed without supper.

Recently, Dining Services has given students more food options by opening new locations in the past few months.

Story continues below advertisement

With Temaki & Tea and Smoothie King at an off-campus location, it caters more to the community than Temaki did while in its Hedgcock location. This expansion is positive for students that live off-campus in the city of Marquette, but it comes at the expense of students living in the dorms.

What NMU Dining Services needs to remember is that they are not an independent business. Independent businesses don’t have a customer base that is required to purchase their product.

Dining Services is here first and foremost to provide a necessary service to NMU students who are required to live in the residence halls for their first two years. Funds are tight everywhere, but by opening two new locations, we question whether or not Dining Services is spending their money appropriately.

Contrary to popular belief, however, students do have the opportunity to make their voices heard by the university. NMU frequently holds forums for students to voice their opinions about changes to the university, but attendance has been insignificant in the past.

While it may be a good way to relieve some stress, student complaints about Dining Services are unlikely to bring about change when they exist only in Facebook or North Wind shout outs. Students need to take action.
Take advantage of upcoming events such as the Food Advisory Board meeting on Oct. 8 and a “Let’s Chat” session with Dining Services on Wednesday, Oct. 12 in the Den. It’s apparent that students have opinions, but they need to take advantage of opportunities to be heard.

Dining Services is guaranteed income from students in the residence halls who are forced to buy into a meal plan. At $2,032 a semester for a constant meal pass, NMU students deserve to get their money’s worth.

More to Discover