Missing: Freeman Dining Hall

Toward the end of last semester, when I first heard that the JA and Freeman dining halls were going to be shutdown, I, along with a significant portion of the student body, was shocked. I was horrified that the college would do such a thing, and do it so suddenly. I was relieved to hear that they were not, after all, going to be replacing the only secondary dining halls with random food from outside vendors, to be paid for out of students’ pockets (don’t even get me started on the socio-economic injustice of that idea). The salvation of the JA dining hall (RIP Freeman) was an exciting triumph of student backlash against this idea. However, it has become clear in these first few weeks of the new academic year that the elimination of Freeman altogether was a low blow and that JA, unfortunately, is no longer what it used to be.

While JA and Freeman, for obvious reasons, enjoyed far less patronage than Harris, they still played an essential role in the feeding and functioning of the campus community. They were perfect for a quick, satisfying bite to eat before or between classes held in any of the several academic buildings on the south end of campus. Similarly, they were good to have nearby for students engaged in projects or rehearsals during the evening in Cummings and Palmer. They were a great option for anyone trying to avoid the chaos that is Harris Refectory between the hours of 12 and 1, and 6 and 7. Not to mention, during the long, dark, and bitterly cold winter months, they were particularly instrumental to the residents of South Campus, for whom the walk to Harris may often seem more like a pilgrimage than a simple stroll toward sustenance.

While JA is still perfect for breakfast, lunches and dinners now border on desolation, especially with the elimination of Freeman’s themed DIY dinners. Not only were the DIY nights fun, but they guaranteed that on a given night, from Monday night grilled cheese to Taco Thursday, you could have what you wanted, how you wanted it, and actually feel nourished. Aside from this, full meals were provided for lunch in both dining halls, and for dinner in JA during DIY nights next door. However, now, to quote the college web page on dining options, lunch and dinner at JA have been reduced to “quick-service with composed salads, soups, deli bar and fresh made breads.” There are extremely limited options. Dinner numbers are dropping significantly as people resort to Harris, where they know they will be able to find something filling.

The “fresh made bread” component of this description is particularly bothersome to me. Though once very true, it is no longer the case. I am, or was, a huge fan of the classic JA soup and bread option, and while I’m glad that it is now available for both lunch and dinner every day, I’ve noticed that this has been at the expense of the quality of the bread. A few slices of bread, dressed in any of the vast array of delicious oils and spreads provided, alongside a bowl of hearty soup (which I thankfully still find to be quite tasty more often than not), was an enjoyable and filling meal. However, what used to be delicious, fluffy, well-made bread, appears to have been replaced, for the most part, by small, dense rolls that don’t even soak up the array of delicious oils and spreads provided to dress them. Soup alone, without the filling carbs of quality bread to accompany it, is just not enough. While this may seem very specific and nit-picky, soup and bread is the signature of JA, and without that, especially with all the other reductions, it’s unfortunately got just about nothing going for it.

It’s not all bad; some changes to JA have been good. For example, I am a fan of the official extension of the seating to the former common room. Not only does it provide more seating and allow for some wiggle room in what used to be a nearly unnavigable main dining room, it has also meant that the space is actually cleaned and maintained — unlike when it was still a common room — although, it was quite clear to see that plenty of people were eating in there then. Yet, these changes become less significant if people do not eat there.

Considering all these alterations in JA, there have been some improvements northward in Harris. For instance, I have enjoyed the new varieties of Asian noodles and stir-fries. The cookie-dough bar is totally sweet. I have yet to try any of the things that you can have made for you at the station by the entrance, but new options are always good, and they seem to be a hit with the student body. I love Harris, and I’m almost always very happy with their pizza and roasted veggies, among other things, and I’m glad they have expanded their options, but I do sincerely wish it had not been at the expense of JA and Freeman.

My speculation, or perhaps conspiracy theory would be more accurate, is that these reductions are a ploy by the powers that be to lower JA’s popularity so that, in the not-so-distant future, it can be completely eliminated without significant student resistance. If there are so few options, people will not eat there anymore, and there is no reason to keep it going if no one is there. We would eat there if there were good and filling options to eat…

In spite of all this, I’d like to point out that I am beyond grateful to have such access to so much food at this institution. However, I must say that I am disappointed with the recent changes that the college has made to the only dining options on South Campus. In conclusion, I would like to give a major shout-out to all the dining staff and student employees who work so hard to try to keep us happy and well-fed. •