Changes in some aspects of food service have been made in response to a petition signed by 32 summer school students living on campus in South Babington Hall.The petition, addressed to Brenda Haskins, director of auxiliary services, stated students’ displeasure with paying $420 during the summer semester for their meal plan that does not include the weekends. The petition also stated unhappiness with the dinner plan of Friday night, which is $6.15.

Haskins said she was given the petition and did not know who started it.

“That was never info given to me,” Haskins said. “I was given a copy, and I asked to go to see what it was about.”

A meeting was held in the lobby of Babington Hall on June 22 where Haskins and Judy Daniels, dean of student life, addressed students concerns about Sodexho Food Service’s meal plans and menus.

Haskins said she took notes at the meeting and then met with Sodexho the following day, inviting Shelly Broussard, an officer on the Food Advisory Committee, to attend as well.

“We went over the menus,” Haskins said. “We then went over the menus, continental breakfast and the pasta line. We talked about the quality and variety of foods and specific comments the students made.”

A letter outlining the changes made was sent out to all summer school residents in Babington Hall. Changes in the letter included a continental breakfast extension from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., which went into effect on June 27 and redoing the menus with ideas given during the meeting and those that were submitted for consideration.

Another change has been the addition of a pasta bar for lunch and dinner, which began on June 28.

Food quality was another issue discussed at the meeting; Haskins addressed that concern in the letter stating she spoke with Sodexho about making sure the quality of food service is satisfactory.

Haskins said suggestions about weekend meals along with summer hours would be looked at for next year.

Elisha Caston, freshman from Kenner, said she was pleased with the changes.

“I thought the letter was pretty effective,” Caston said. “She got her statements across in a nice way with out hurting anyone’s feelings.”

Jiles Mason, marketing sophomore from Luling, said it was positive they addressed the concerns and took action but was disappointed concerning weekend meals.

“It’s too bad they can’t make changes more prompt as far as weekend meals go,” Mason said.