The Statesman informing stony brook university for more than 50 years
Volume LV, Issue 14
Monday, December 5, 2011
sbstatesman.com
Students see rise in Campus dining prices By Chelsea Katz Staff Writer
End of the Road, Seawolves fall to Sam Houston, page 28
Stony Brook football couldn't convert on a last minute drive as the No. 1 Sam Houston State Bearkats defeated the Seawolves, 34-27, in the second round of the FCS playoffs in Huntsville, Texas, on Saturday. Stony Brook finished with a 9-4 overall record. Photo courtesy of Jessica Gomez of The Houstonian.
Service auctions bid high on campus By Paul Harding Staff Writer
It’s the season for giving, and Stony Brook students have found a fun and profitable way to get into the spirit. Hall councils and organizations across campus have been holding service auctions to help those in need for the holidays. Instead of bidding on items, students bid on other students who can offer any service they choose, with all of the proceeds going to charity. It’s a simple but effective formula that’s raised money for the less fortunate. The auctions are an annual event in the quads to support 'Tis The Season, a charity that raises money for needy families. Hall councils from Roth and H quads hit incomes averaging in the thousands, with Benedict alone raising $3,000. Service auctions are also a very popular event among the fraternities and sororities on campus. Adam Grunseich, a brother of Sigma Alpha Mu who hosted a recent service auction Thursday night, says it’s easy to see why the events are so successful. “They’re a good way to raise money because people can offer things they enjoy doing,” Grunseich said. “It makes everyone more into it.”
Co-hosted with the sisters of Theta Phi Alpha and Alpha Sigma Alpha, the event raised more than $600 for their sponsored charities, such as The Judy Fund for Alzheimer’s research and the Polar Plunge for the disabled. The wide range of services offered included dance lessons, massages and tutoring. But the hit bids of the night went to the more raunchy offerings, such as a date night with a police officer (frisking and handcuffs included) and a modeling session with a tonguein-cheek "clothing optional" clause. The mood of the audience was certainly elated. The Student Activities Center auditorium roared with laughter and cheers with almost every bid that passed. Andrew Goodman, a brother of Sigma Alpha Mu and a master of ceremonies for the night, was surprised that his first auction went so well. “We knew we wanted to go out with a bang with our last event, but we did much better than we expected," Goodman said. It’s hard to ignore the impact that the auctions are making. The events draw large crowds, amass a slew of donations and seem to get more successful every year. By combining a fun atmosphere and support for a good cause, service auctions make a winning formula that could be a staple at Stony Brook for years to come.
As students go to buy lunch between classes, this semester, some have realized that they are facing a problem of economic proportions. They are nearly out of money on their meal plan and must search out the least expensive food possible. Polly Chan, a senior majoring in health science thinks that the price of food on campus is too high. “Sometimes I get meals from the campus court," Chan said. "Prices have raised a bit since last year, I think.” Students who live in noncooking building are required to purchase meal plans unless they receive a waiver for religious dietary needs. Students who are required to purchase a meal plan and do not do so are automatically charged for a Silver Plan, according to the Campus Dining website. Many students said they guess that they are running low on meal points because of high prices of food on campus. Products and their potential prices must go through a process in order to change. “When Campus Dining Services wants to offer a new product, they bring the product and the suggested price to the Meal Plan Resolutions Committee,” said David Conway, resident district manager for Campus Dining Services. “This committee then reviews the proposed pricing, relative to the food cost and labor necessary to make the product available, and determines if it is appropriate to offer the product on campus.” The Meal Plan Resolutions Committee is responsible for improving students’ eating experience. Several students sit on the committee and bring feedback from their friends. For example, students on the committee have commented that food quality is not as good at night because it is not made-toorder such as sushi and Mexican food. They have also mentioned that made-to-order stations have longer lines. In addition, the lines for food at night are longer because there are fewer options, such as Buenos Nachos. According to Angela Agnello, the director of marketing and communications for the Faulty Student Association, there are other options, aside from made-to-order. Grab and Go sandwiches, which have a two-day expiration date, are available. “Our commissary makes fresh sandwiches seven days a week because of the large volume that we
NINA LIN / THE STATESMAN
Hall councils and organizations are offering services through auctions, from tutoring and dance lessons to dates.
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