By Jessica Harden

Dining services ended the takeout dining option on February 6, causing students to voice concerns about staying safe during the still-present pandemic. 

The takeout dining option, which was available during the first two weeks of the semester, allowed students to grab a to-go container when they walked in and fill it with food so they could eat elsewhere. 

Maia Brandolini, a sophomore neuroscience major, said she used the takeout dining option three times a day.

“I think it was more efficient when you’re in a time crunch, and sometimes, I just prefer to eat in my dorm room with my friends,” Brandolini said.

Sophomore environmental science major Valerie Burke said spacing out is difficult in the dinings halls, and doesn’t want to sit directly next to someone during Covid-19.

“When you’re eating in the dining hall, it can be really hard to find somewhere to sit and eat,” Burke said. “It was nice to be able to just grab your food and go back to your room.”

While Covid-19 does pose a threat because of the close proximity in the crowded dining halls, many students had complaints related to the convenience the takeout option offered.

Sophomore psychology major Nicole Radams said she used the takeout option every day. Radams also said her friends have voiced concerns about not having time in between classes to sit down and eat lunch.

“I just wanted to get in and out so I could focus more on school,” Radams said. “I know a lot of people care a lot about Covid, but for my friends and I, it’s always been about convenience.”

Olivita Hunt, a sophomore fire protection engineering major, said that because there aren’t any dining halls near the engineering buildings, the takeout dining option allowed her to take food to class, rather than having to find alternative food options on days that she’s busy.

“I’m already paying for the dining plan, I don’t want to have to pay for other dining options,” Hunt said.

The loss of flexibility offered by takeout dining has not only inconvenienced students who have busy schedules, but created food insecurities for students who don’t have enough free time to go to the dining halls.

“I have more concerns about whether or not I’m going to be able to eat lunch that day,” Hunt said.

This isn’t the first time that the dining halls have decided to stop the takeout option. Dining services brought back in-person dining in the Fall 2021 semester after a long period of the takeout option. Takeout dining was reinstated in December 2021 after a spike in omicron cases on campus. 

“The decision to return to dine-in only service or to continue offering a carryout option is made with the University Health Center within the framework provided by those public health officials. Of course, we will be ready to pivot, should the situation change,” said a dining services representative on the dining services comment wall.