There is no doubt that Binghamton University harbors some of the state’s finest students, faculty and visitors. The problem lies in the process of feeding them.
The Food Court located in the New University Union has problems with quality and efficiency, to say the least. There are often complaints of overcrowding and excessive wait times, but in my view, the overall lack of effort on the part of the staff is the greatest disappointment to the students who eat there regularly.
It was as though every person capable of cutting a sandwich or pressing a button skipped town and never quite came back.
Let’s get real: we’ve all shared similar feelings of instant panic in regards to the location of the nearest fire extinguisher as the Taco Bell grill beeps with no employee in sight, much as we’ve all noticed the quality of the Sub Connection’s products, half of which are unable to survive the trip from the toaster to the table.
Mein Bowl Asian Cuisine becomes a godsend, a diamond in the rough, a prize at the bottom of a cereal box when their customers order, and luckily receive exactly what they’ve ordered. I’m not saying that every business within the Food Court is an atrocity, or even that every single worker is incapable. I’m just saying that it’s not overly difficult to fold one piece of bread over another and call it a sandwich.
One of the main misunderstandings I often ponder is whether it is truly necessary to destroy every piece of food sold. It’s almost as though some of these people have personal grudges against ingredients.
So why not just complain about the poor service? You know, ask for a change. Well, luckily enough for the staff, the Food Court shout out board taunts its victims with a “welcome” to all BU students, conveniently with no eraser or chalk in sight.
What would even happen if the managers ever read comments and suggestions for the Food Court that were written by students? Would they request that the University instill a Culinary Arts 101 class taught by Adam Richman to teach the basics of sandwich making, grill timing and overall courtesy to the art of fast food? They probably wouldn’t. In fact, they would probably use all submitted comments and complaints to make paper airplanes to fly around their kitchens.
If it weren’t for the sweethearts behind the cash registers, I’d think that the New Union would be an empty, desolate place altogether. The kind and generous faces greeting you at the register are a sweet relief from the rest of the service.
In the end, it comes down to a recommendation that will ultimately affect the future of service. To a new student, if you want high-quality service for a high price, go to Number 5. If you want low-quality service for a low price, go to Burger King.
And if you want low-quality service for a high price, you’re already here.