Union food
What do you want to eat?
The MSU administration has taken an important step in improving students’ food choices at the renovated Union.
Next year the first floor of The Union will hold four or five restaurants. But MSU is handling the business end of the deal in a new way.
Instead of restaurant franchises buying space in The Union, the university will purchase the franchises. This development helps the university in a couple of ways.
First, it will more profitable to buy the franchises. Second, let’s say the workers in these restaurants provide unsatisfactory results. If the franchises were working on purchased space, they would be responsible for hires and perhaps less responsive to student complaints. But because the university will purchase the franchises, it will probably be more willing to find good workers and accommodate student needs.
However, a debate is still going on about the food options themselves. Some want restaurants that will make the most money, others have suggested that The Union should try to offer quality food and still others have opined for healthier choices for students. If the administration can meet all of these suggestions, that would be ideal.
But it’s important that students give a lot of input, and the university shouldn’t wait for student comments-it should seek criticism.
At this point Chik-Fil-A is the only franchise that will definitely be in the new Union. Other options under discussion include a fast-food burger joint (like Burger King or A&W), a Mexican choice (Taco Bell or Moe’s), an Italian pizza restaurant, a sushi place, a pan-Asian eatery, a sandwich shop and a healthy food establishment.
We feel that a sandwich shop is uncalled for because of the overabundance of sandwich restaurants in Starkville. Although Taco Bell would be affordable and moneymaking, Moe’s offers better food overall. Burger King has left a void in Starkville since its closing, so maybe it should make a comeback. Of course, other venues like Krystal or Zoe’s Deli should be considered as well.
We encourage students and faculty members not to sit silent. We have a poll at reflector-online.com for you to express your thoughts. Or you could simply write a letter. Even better, you could tell the administration what you think. Regardless, students are getting a better Union, and they have the chance to make it their own place to eat.
The Reflector editorial board is made up of opinion editor Jed Pressgrove, news editor C.J. LeMaster, assistant news editor Nathan Gregory, entertainment editor Aaron Burdette, sports editor R.J. Morgan, online editor Sara McAdory, managing editor Ross Dellenger and editor in chief Tyler Stewart.