I’m currently a junior at Stonehill, so I know the ins and outs of the cafeteria system. First and foremost I want to address the issue that is the food service. This is not to blame the people that work at Sodexo, as they are usually very personable and kind. I have spoken to many employees at the cafe and the common theme amongst them is that there is never enough employees on staff to properly accommodate the rush of students that come in for food. This of course directly affects the students trying to get food. I know that this may seem like an attack on Sodexo and the employees they hire, but I can assure you I am trying to simply give a voice to the employees and the student body of Stonehill.

I first addressed how the lack of employment results in poor service. This is something that any student who ever waited for a breakfast sandwich would understand. I wait most mornings watching Dino rush around trying to get everyone their breakfast. He is often alone and struggling to keep up with the vast orders and long lines. This is an issue because when you need something quickly, considering many students have a class to go to, it can potentially ruin your morning.

Their employees also have limited incentive when it comes to getting paid. Employees at Sodexo commonly compare the wages they receive to getting paid “peanuts."

I have asked many of the employees questions for this article and they all have been asked to not be named. Their concerns are all similar in the fact that they agree with the issues I present.

"The people who work here work too hard for too little, and I really want something to be done about it. Several of us have to come in on our days off and even worse is that many of us work overtime with nothing to show for it. We put too much of our time and effort into things that would be unnecessary if we just had a little extra help."

My hope for this article is that something can be done about these issues of long lines and low motivation for employees.

After adjusting to a semester schedule and figuring the best time to go to the dining hall, it becomes bearable, but the fact that it is referred to as bearable is a problem in itself. As a Stonehill student paying for tuition, I should have proper accommodations to show up to breakfast and be able to get what I want. As a full-time student and someone who is proud to consider Stonehill my home, I think this is an issue that must be dealt with.

I know many other students endure a similar struggle and I hope that this can reach the eyes of those in charge of such issues to take care of the student body Stonehill is so proud of housing.