<p>I just wanted to post this topic to stir up some debate. As we all know, due to financial woes Smith was forced to close down 7 in house kitchens-from 25 to 18. I know from reading past issues of the newspaper that Smith had money trouble back in the earlly 1990s, thus making them close a few kitchens. If this keeps up, do you think that Smith will close all of the kitchens and build a big centralized dining room in their student center? Also, do you think that they will reopen some of the kitchens that had to close due to the budget.</p>
<p>I'll wager heavily that they do not go to centralized dining. The remaining kitchens & dining halls do not represent the financial liability that the kitchens that were closed, many of which needed extensive updating, did. Moreover, while losing some dining rooms, they gained a lot of choice in menu, and that part of the equation seems to be highly approved of.</p>
<p>One of the things my daughter likes most about Smith is the dining options. She can pick and choose where to eat, who to eat with, and what to eat. She was never there when there was dining in each house so she doesn't miss it one bit and likely neither will you. Also, I agree with TheDad that Smith doesn't seem to be a likely candidate for centralized dining. I think that if that were where they wanted to be, why go to the added expense of the "interim step" of localized dining.</p>
<p>"She was never there when there was dining in each house so she doesn't miss it one bit and likely neither will you"</p>
<p>Cz8 is a sophomore at Hobart William Smith. The dining options aren’t going to effect her a great deal.;)</p>
<p>I can absolutely guarantee centralized dining isn’t an option for myriad reasons. The least of which, they would lose 98.75% of alumnae donations. :)</p>
<p>I don't see Smith going to centralized dining, but I do see them continuing to cut costs in that area. While dining at Smith is still far better than most schools, it has changed even in the last 2 years. I've been told that the management for dining services changed between first and second semester of last year. That may or may not be true, but there were very noticeable changes made at that time which may seem minor, but they do add up.</p>
<p>For example, there used to be liberal access to teas, milk, fruit, ice cream, rice cakes etc. during all hours. Now, everything is locked up except a few rice cakes and sometimes a little left over fruit. During finals week first semester, dining left a lot of food available all night and the pop, juice, tea, coffee and milk dispensers were left on 24/7 -- not the case second semester. Some of the other changes we've noticed are fewer salad bar selections, fewer entree and side dish selections and a lot more leftovers. Also, in certain houses, the posted menus are not reliable on a pretty regular basis.</p>
<p>The thing that most bothers me is the substitution of a lot of "empty" carbohydrates for lean protein in most of the traditional dining halls. I notice this because I monitor my dietary intake pretty closely to maintain a balance of protein and carbos due to dietary restrictions. There is always plenty of pasta and rice, but very often only one or two options for protein and many times, eggs are the sole source of protein at breakfast and lunch or dinner options for protein are deep fried. The healthy options dining halls still have lean proteins though, and almost always have cottage cheese, so that's a plus.</p>
<p>On the bright side, parent's week-end is almost here and the menus look great! Lox and bagels for brunch (which we had first semester of last year several times, but not at all yet this year). Everyone is really looking forward to it, so you parents better watch out for stampeding Smithies in the dining halls. ;-)</p>
<p><strong>Cz8 is a sophomore at Hobart William Smith. The dining options arent going to effect her a great deal.</strong></p>
<p>I think Cz8 is just investigating attending Smith for a semester during her junior year. If that is the case, I can say that she would have a great time and that the dining options would probably be to her liking. They may not be what they once were, but they're still pretty good. :-)</p>
<p>I'm actually going to try to visit there next term. Do I know what I am in for?</p>
<p>The majority of people who come here really love it, although it isn't a fit for everyone of course. You should be able to get a pretty good impression of things from the web site and reading the older postings on this board, if you can't visit before you come.</p>
<p>oh.... if you don't already know, bring some very warm clothes. :-)</p>
<p>Good luck! Hope to see you here in Feb.</p>
<p>“I think Cz8 is just investigating attending Smith for a semester during her junior year”</p>
<p>I was aware of that ;). What I meant was, if there was a possibility of major dining changes (there isn’t), it wouldn’t affect her b/c she would be at Smith next yr.
I know HWS well. It's a great college with outstanding students. Smith would be benefit greatly having Cz8 for a semester.</p>
<p>'Ive been told that the management for dining services changed”</p>
<p>Laurel, others may be interested in your issues. As we talked about in private, that’s incorrect. Management is the same.</p>
<p>“For example, there used to be liberal access to teas, milk, fruit, ice cream, rice cakes etc. during all hours”</p>
<p>This one is touchy. As I informed you, it has always been the policy /not/ leave food out.
The house I’m familiar with does, however, try to make fruit, rice cakes, chips, (real healthy) etc. available at night. They also have milk ( you can’t lock the milk) , fruit, tea. etc. during the day.
Now that I have opened that bag.;)</p>
<p>I know you can always go to the kitchen and ask for food at any time. My daughter has had the kitchen give her food at weird hours on numerous occasions. </p>
<p>"During finals week first semester, dining left a lot of food available all night and the pop, juice, tea, coffee and milk dispensers were left on 24/7 -- not the case second semester."</p>
<p>There is food 24/7 during reading week before finals. Dining should also put out food at night during finals</p>
<p>My D lives in the quad and has gotten food whenever she wants it, no problem. I also do not ever see Smith go to centralized dining. I also think they may have cut back as much as they will. Smithies quickly get spoiled and forget the wonderful options they have, as opposed to colleges with one dining center.</p>
<p>Amen in terms of putting out healthy food out 24/7. Can't get that in a regular dining... especially those that won't let you carry out a piece of fruit in hand for later snacking.</p>