Editor,
David Martinez, in his letter published in the Daily Lobo on Tuesday, said we should take responsibility for our choices.
My response is we should have a choice. Why do we not have the option to eat at La Posada only if we want to eat at La Posada? Why are we forced to buy a meal plan when I can find cheaper alternatives?
We are being forced to give money to a University-imposed monopoly. Where is the choice?
I guess supporters of the current system do not believe in markets because they know that if the decision is left to students, La Posada will be empty, as Armark cannot compete.
Let the winner of the contract prepare food at La Posada, and if it is worth the money, students will pay for it. If it is essential to force students to purchase meal plans, they should be able to choose to eat in the SUB or restaurants that want to participate in a meal-plan program.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
If we want students to be responsible for their choices, then give them a choice. The University should approach local off-campus vendors, such as Frontier Restaurant, and ask if they would be willing to participate in the points program.
Starbucks participates. Currently, students are required to purchase a meal plan, and the cheapest if you live in the dorm will cost $1,230. The student receives 350 points that can be spent dollar-for-dollar, so it could be argued the plan costs $880.
This entitles a student to 130 meals in La Posada. So, the student will pay $6.77 for each meal. I can think of at least a dozen other food vendors where I would rather spend the $6.77.
Instead of giving a choice, the University would rather give the money to a company that will serve students a fraction of the meals they are forced to pay for. Most students never eat all the meals they are forced to pay for.
So Martinez, do you want choice or do you want to be told how to spend your dad's money?
Angel Padilla
UNM student
