Staff Editorial: Caf, students need to change

Despite Pepperdine’s recent renewal of its contract with Sodexo, the Graphic has noticed three major complaints about the food service company: excessive prices, food quality that doesn’t meet reasonable expectations and a method of charging that many find unfair. Essentially, students think they are paying more money for smaller portions and lower quality.

Students always whine, and cafeteria food is a classic target, but in the case of the Waves Café most of these complaints seem justified. A meal can be an enriching opportunity to get great pleasure out of your taste buds while breaking bread with fellow students. Substandard, unaffordable dinner can rob some students of the chance to enjoy a quality meal as they build community in the Caf.

Granted, many of the same items found at Pepperdine are sold for more at comparable universities such as California Lutheran University, which also uses Sodexo. But that doesn’t change the fact that the company’s prices are out of control. Anyone can buy a pound of bananas from Ralphs for 69 cents, yet a single banana from the Caf tops out at $1.09. No preparation is necessary, and delivery to the university should be no harder than to the grocery store; the prices are accepted only because some students are stuck on campus or don’t appreciate the value of their electronic meal points.

Another complaint is the uncertainty attached to the new policy of paying for yogurt and items from the salad bar by weight. Make sure you don’t get greedy with the cherry tomatoes on your salad, and ration the granola that goes on top of your yogurt, or you might end up paying more than you expected or can afford. No one wants to fork over precious Caf points for an extra carrot stick.

It isn’t just newcomers, still used to Mom’s home cooking, who are disgruntled with the food in the main cafeteria. Many seniors agree meal options steadily decreased in quality while simultaneously increasing in prices since their freshman year. During Pepperdine’s 10-year contract with Sodexo, management has been changed, which could contribute to the reduction of quality.

In addition to the loss of some of the Caf’s best options, such as quality fish, it seems that something is missing from the remaining dishes. Perhaps overworked employees don’t put in the same TLC or use cheaper ingredients. Judging by fruit for sale several days past the point Ralphs would trash it, perhaps freshness is an issue. Whatever the reason, many miss better days.

A couple of years ago, it didn’t take long to figure out staying away from the Home Cookin’ station was almost always a good idea, while the International Station and grill rarely failed to put forth a decent meal. But recently, choosing a meal from the Caf is more like playing a game of Russian roulette with stale pita-bread “gorditas” ready to be shot as gastronomic bullets towards our unsuspecting faces.

There are some things we appreciate. While Oasis closes earlier than it did in previous years, the Caf now boasts longer hours: Sunday through Friday, students can fill the hunger hole until 11 p.m. The salad bar has increased its topping options, making it more vegan-friendly.  And regardless of the negative comments some people have about the dried-out chocolate cakes and partially frozen enchiladas, some of us still enjoy what Pepperdine has to offer.

Even on Sodexo’s worst day, there’s always the stand-by option of the grill, where all your chicken-quesadilla-cheeseburger-veggie-burger-grilled-chicken-sandwich-chicken-tender-French-fry needs are met. Granted, because the grill is our most reliable provider, the line is usually a longer wait.

We should appreciate the fact that the refrigerators rarely lack an ample supply of sushi, tofu spring rolls, edamame, sandwiches and fruit cups. Also, Pepperdine seems to be making an effort for those more health conscious among us. Bags of apple chips and baskets of fresh fruit, not to mention the improved salad station, are all steps in the right direction.

We also support efforts that have already been made to keep prices from rising still higher. For instance, President Andrew K. Benton announced in a Student Government Association meeting that he worked to lower the prices to a more reasonable range when Sodexo tried to raise its rates.

Students must also accept some of the responsibility.

Many of us have no problem complaining about those serving us behind the counter— the more critical among us grading them on how well they hear our order, how often they smile, how quickly they prepare the food and how they wear their hair. Despite this treatment and their long hours, some are unusually kind. In any case, we should show a little more grace considering these employees are overworked and underpaid. Instead of a snappy order for food, a smile and a kind, “How is your day going?” might work more in your favor.

We should also take into consideration that compromises should be made on both ends. If we want speedier service, we shouldn’t gripe about a quesadilla that isn’t steaming-fresh from the grill.

With the upcoming additions of Jamba Juice, La Brea Bakery and Nature’s Edge, students should have less to complain about, but until then we are left with one option: having a positive attitude and making the most of what we are given.