An altercation in the Wildcat Den last week has prompted action from Campus Dining Services after a student was reportedly asked to leave the campus dining hall for staying there for more than 45 minutes.
Senior theater major Michael Skrobeck said while he was studying in the Café Libre public space near the Wildcat Den on Wednesday, Nov. 28, he was told by a Dining Services supervisor and cashier that he only had 45 minutes to eat and that he had to leave.
The event resulted in a short meeting with Dining Services prior to its scheduled meeting on Wednesday night, in which Skrobeck voiced his concern over student awareness of the “45-minute” rule.
“(Students) need a place to allow (them) to be relaxed and focused other than (a) dorm room, and be able to eat at the same time,” Skrobeck said. “It takes a heck of a lot more time to eat and study and hang out with friends (than 45 minutes), and you want to be able to catch up on all three things.”
According to the Frequently Asked Questions section on the Dining Services website, “In the Wildcat Den your card is swiped and you have 45 minutes to have all you care to eat. If you leave the dining location, you must swipe your card again to eat.”
Skrobeck said this is not enough to inform students of the rule, and proposed that either Dining Services eliminate the rule or find other ways to get the word out to students.
“Nobody is going to go on their website and look up the rules,” he said. “So you might as well just get rid of it or if they want to keep the rule, make a poster or a table tent at the Den, being that the Den is the only place that enforces the rule.”
In terms of enforcing the rule, Dining Services said that they have taken into consideration the social aspect of eating in dining halls, the lack of student awareness surrounding it and the potential discomfort of student cashiers having to reprimand other students.
According to Director of Auxiliary Services Tom Helgren, the enforcement of this policy has been suspended. The policy is currently being reviewed and a new policy will be drafted if deemed necessary. The new policy would then be presented to the Food Advisory Board.
Michael • Aug 10, 2013 at 8:59 am
I believe I submitted my comments the other day and now they’re taken off?!? Again I will repeat to gluten do not judge me , Or tell me to grow up ,you do not know me and you were not there the day it happened. As a student leader I did my part to raise my voice into get other students involved, So that way the Managers of the den would understand the need for change and get rid of the rule
michael • Aug 8, 2013 at 1:40 am
Glutton,
First- Shut up.
Secondly, When did you last read a fine print? ….exactly. Most students wouldn’t for a college cafeteria. Who knew sitting down studying and waiting for fresh food to come out would lead to this bullshit. It’s August 2013, this was back in Dec of 2012 and Im now just reading your Comment “gutton”. Thank you to “Lucy” for your support.
Another thing, Glutton (what kind of name is that, anyway?) I read the find print to my checking account, my insurance, my bills and anything else to protect myself and someone else I might have to take care of like my dog- her medication pills because she’s’ sick. Im 22- graduated less than 3 years with 2 degrees- I’m the youngest in my family and one of the only to have graduated from a university and I PAID OFF MY COLLEGE BEFORE I GRADUATED and I have a Full time amazing job now that I was able to land within the first month after graduation. I have a car, a home, a dog, a job to protect. Therefore, I’m a big boy now. So, DO NOT TELL ME TO GROW UP! A stupid rule like the one the Den USE TO HAVE was horrible and unfair. With my background and experience in student leadership roles, student council and my relationships with people in high places at the University, I made this small unheard of rule a huge stir so the Managers of Den would simply take away this rule. Did it work- YES. This old rule was one of many unheard of rules that NMU needs to enforce….that’s if they really have a damn. Lots of students were angry with the Den and wanted this rule gone and I represented those that felt this rule was not needed. Now that I’m no longer there, I would hope other students would do the same if they come across a unfair/ B.S rule. Anything else Glutton?
Lucy • Dec 6, 2012 at 3:51 pm
There are countless people who stay over 45 minutes at both eateries on campus. When I was in my undergrad, that was totally normal and I never, ever heard about this rule. The MP and, especially the Den, are places where people meet and socialize – not just eat. The Den, which is centrally located for academic offices, classes and student organizations, is particularly convenient to go to between classes for lunch or to meet people for lunch/dinner meetings.
I applaud Michael for speaking out about this asinine rule. And even if they deem it necessary, it needs to be more centrally advertised so that people know. Because, especially as seen from the student response that Michael has gotten, no one knew about it.
Glutton • Dec 6, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Looks like students need to be “spoon fed” the rules along with their soup.
Grow up Michael. It is your responsibility to read the fine print on your dining card, checking account, credit card, city ordnances, mortgage…
On the plus side, the North Wind again provides useful information to the student community.