Katelyn Wilburn, Campus Carrier Opinions Editor
For most Berry students, daily life revolves around two food locations: the dining hall and Viking Court. These places are where students gather between classes to meet friends, grab quick meals and refuel during long days of studying. These spaces are not just a convenience in everyday life, they are a necessity for students to make it through the day. Though familiar and comforting, these spots on campus have a worsening issue. Flex Bucks are a useful perk that allows students to grab easy meals in the quick breaks of the day. But with the rise in inflation, Flex Bucks’ value have decreased for students. The price for the unlimited plan has risen $560 since 2022, but we still don’t get more Flex Bucks. So, Flex Bucks alloted per meal plan should be increased in proportion to inflation.
Think about a quick trip to Viking Court. A coffee and a snack used to be a quick, affordable treat. But now the two can easily cost ten dollars as a full purchase. Yes, of course we have dining hall here, but our Flex Bucks should be just a valuable as they were to our predecessors.
This mismatch creates a system that takes advantage of students. Flex Bucks were designed to supplement our dining hall meals, providing breaks from the monotonous dining hall food and giving students a chance to eat something at times that don’t align with dining hall hours. This is also one of the easiest ways for students without cars to get a convenient treat to eat while studying.
Most Berry students are also required to live on campus and purchase a meal plan. Since this meal plan is not optional, it should cover all of the food needs that students have. Flex Bucks don’t last as long as they used to because of this inflation, making it extremely difficult for students to get what they need.
Berry values keeping their students supported inside and outside of class, and this should be reflected in their policies. If they don’t increase the amount of Flex Bucks we receive with the rising cost of food, this means they are taking meals away from students who need them. Berry has the resources and capacity to make this change. In fact, this change is not a radical one. Rather, it is reasonable and a responsible update to an allowance that no longer fits the world that students live within.
Flex Bucks are also an easy way for students who are struggling financially to grab a well-deserved treat. Students are already navigating many costs as it is. Buying textbooks, transportation expenses and everyday needs is a huge amount of pressure. Food insecurity is not a stressor that should be on students’ plates.
The cost of an everyday meal has risen, which means that Berry’s Flex Bucks allowance must rise with inflation. Supporting students means attempting to give every cent of our tuition back as we were originally promised. This outdated system requires a reboot so that all students can enjoy their meal plans throughout the semester.