<p>I disagree that only a fool would reject a school based on its food; I don’t think it should be a main factor, but I"m not is a position to decide. Fordham is on my daughter’s list, but she still has a bit of weeding, and I can guarantee food may be one of her deciding factors. When we do campus visits, she prefers to eat on campus so she will have a sense of what’s available. With the vast number of claages to choose from, if a student narrowing choices, and two schools are otherwise equal on their list, why not knock one out based on the food. They may expect to eat the majority of meals in that facility for the next 4 years. If they don’t like the food, it could impact not only their happiness, but also their health. She has attended school in 3 different school districts in 3 different states. All must meet the same federal guidelines to qualify for federal aid in their school lunch programs. The quality of food in the three varies significantly. Even accounting for any changes to the requirements, her younger sister is in a magnet school in another district, so she compares their menus. Her sister loves the lunch program, and also hated the food in our town. I don’t even understand how one can make whole wheat pizza the students love (in a huge city district), while the other just can’t get it right (in a smaller suburban district). One would think the bigger the operation, the more bland the food would be.</p>
<p>When my daughter would go to RH once a week last year, she always took the time to eat there, the food was so much better than at LC.
But, the thing about LC is that every student has a kitchen. If they plan well, they can cook a lot of their own meals, so the cafe is less important. If all else fails, there are a few one dollar a slice pizza places nearby.
The cafe just wasn’t a deciding factor about Fordham.</p>
<p>CTScoutmom;</p>
<p>By the time your D is ready to enter college, this unfortunate issue will be resolved. I would suggest that when you plan your college visit to Fordham, make it a point to have lunch in the student cafeteria that day (many parents venture over to the fabulous Arthur Ave. for some of the best Italian food in NYC…but don’t try the meal plan food). My wife and I made sure our D and we ate in each school cafeteria with every visit we made. While I was surprised the day we ate the Fordham food was good, it is no secrect most schools “Step up their game” when parents and prospective students visit, but it can give you an idea of what the fare is, the basic quality etc. I found the food at other schools sometimes better, sometimes not so.</p>
<p>Worry more if your D will get a good education with internship possibilities rather than if the hot dogs and Mac+cheese are not to appealing. In any event, this was a problem that will be resolved this semester, with a new food service contract likely for next year.</p>
<p>I am delighted that a new contract will be in place. The bottom line is that McShane DOES care. But its a big university, with 3 campuses, many graduate programs as well. He can’t micromanage everything. I have an opinion on ResLife and its “management”, but wont get into that here. </p>
<p>And of course, part of the college experience is to learn how to manage problems and be part of the solution. The Ram is student run and they do an excellent job, working VERY hard, often into the wee hourse before publication. (my kid was an editor). </p>
<p>Its hard to please everyone, particularly those with very difficult dietary issues or desires. </p>
<p>Fordham is an outstanding university with a superb record of educating kids in a holistic manner and getting them prepared for life, jobs and problem solving. They have an amazing record of placing kids in graduate and professional schools. Fordham graduates are highly prized and respected as hard workers, good values and a broad base of knowledge applicable to many career paths. </p>
<p>My kid entered with one idea and exited with another…and took McShane’s comments (several times…some of them in person) to heart, bothered by injustice in the world and set about a path to do her part to help others less fortunate. And we are not bleeding heart liberals either. </p>
<p>Fordham offers kids an amazing array of opportunities both in the classroom/programs as well as internships and in many cases placement into worthy causes. </p>
<p>We bleed maroon and she lives it daily! (She went to graduate school and was quickly pegged as a superb student…much of which is her own persona/work ethic, but also some credit is due to Fordham.)</p>
<p>If you come to Fordham, its a big financial challenge (for many), but the dividends from that decision are lifelong. </p>
<p>Thus, the cafeteria issue is of course important and is being addressed, but the larger picture is that you are sending your kid(s) to a HIGHLY respected institution of higher learning, with a faculty second to none (their credentials tell you a LOT), you get two educations for the price of one: one academic in the classroom, and another in the Big City, while enjoying the beauty and benefits of a classic college campus (Rose Hill) or a wonderful small liberal arts college in the center of Manhattan (Lincoln Center).</p>
<p>Be proud, for you are Fordham family!</p>
<p>Well said, Sovereign.</p>
<p>Allow me to add a P.S. before we close this topic. </p>
<p>My wife and I moved our D back onto campus for her senior year last week. We usually go over to Arthur Ave or to City Island for fantastic seafood, but I insisted on the dining hall to see for myself what the food was like since this issue started. I am happy to report that my wife and I found the food to be good, but more to the point, our D (a very tough critic) was very pleased as well and announced she will eat regularly in the dining hall.</p>
<p>As I see our D ready to graduate, with a terrific internship given to her this semester, she now as 3 big companies that will have job offers for her in this economy. There are all kinds of ways to gage success, getting a first class (world class) education in the greatest city in the world with tons of internship/job opportunities for some while others go on to grad/medical/law schools, I know Fordham will do for my D what it did for me 30 years ago; give her the tools to go far…as far as she wants. In any book that spells success.</p>
<p>…and the food can (and did) get better!</p>