Why are there discrepancies in meal plan options?

For all first-year students at St. Ben’s, the Continuous Meal Plan is the only option available to choose from, while first-years at St. John’s are free to choose from two different plans: the Continuous Meal Plan and the Block 200 Plan. As the most expensive meal plan offered on both campuses, the Continuous Meal Plan is the most inclusive plan and eliminates the stresses involved in meal-planning for all incoming students. This option includes unlimited entry to Gorecki Dining Center and the Refectory seven days a week, as well as one punched meal pass per day at either McGlynn’s or Sexton Commons, with an additional $150 of Dining bucks and four guest passes per semester. This meal plan is a great, flexible option for incoming first-years who are trying to figure out how to be independent college students adjusting to a new life away from home. It takes away the pressures of meal-planning and budgeting meal swipes to get through the week.

However, what I find unreasonable is the fact that Bennies are required to pay for this meal plan not only as a first-year but also for their sophomore year, while Johnnies have the option to choose a less expensive and accommodating meal plan from the start. How is this fair? While Johnnies have the option to save a few hundred dollars, Bennies are required to select the most expensive meal plan for the first two years without a say in the matter.

I haven’t heard many explanations as to why this is the case, but there is one reason I heard when I was a first-year student myself. I heard that St. Ben’s requires Bennies to file for the Continuous Meal Plan for the first two years due to the statistics of eating disorders associated with gender stereotypes. In hopes of combating the occurrence of eating disorders on the St. Ben’s campus, CSB requires the Continuous Plan until Bennies have access to their own kitchens in upperclassmen housing options. However, this argument lacks merit because eating disorders do not discriminate based on gender. All people reguardless of gender suffer from eating disorders, so if that is truly the reason, then shouldn’t the resulting meal plan rules be consistent across the board? Also, the first-year and sophomore residence hall set up is similar on both CSB and SJU campuses, so it’s not like Johnnies have more access to outside meal prep areas than Bennies.

This differentiation in the CSB experience vs the SJU experience is one thing that should be addressed as the colleges continue to develop stronger ties with each other.

If Bennies and Johnnies attend the same classes, have relatively similar housing options (at least through the first two years) and share the same eating options, then the ability to choose a meal plan that adequately works for each student should be the same as well.

My question is, why is this meal plan difference in place, and can it be changed? As a sophomore at St. Ben’s, I can speak from personal experience that I definitely don’t use all of the benefits included in the Continuous Meal Plan every day. I just don’t, and can’t, eat that many meals in one day. I almost feel guilty when I can’t make enough time to go eat four times a day to take full advantage of my meal plan. I know I’m not the only one that feels this way either, as many of my Bennie friends have also made similar claims. It would benefit all of us Bennies if we could be granted the option of choosing which meal plan we deem best for us.