Water bottles banned from caf

BY EMMA STENZEL
Cardinal Staff

Though “no” is not something Chartwells likes to tell the students at Saint Mary’s University, the dining service felt compelled to say “no” in its decision to ban personal water bottles from the cafeteria. Curt Coshenet, food service director for Chartwells, said students were abusing their privilege of bringing their own water bottles into the cafeteria.

“We only say ‘no’ when something’s abused,” said Coshenet. “Otherwise, we’re always open to something new.”

Coshenet said that when the decision was made last October to allow water bottles in the cafeteria, it was intended that the bottles were only meant to take out water. Rather than hanging signs or posters, Chartwells employees were to inform arriving students about the new system.

Confusion ensued due to lack of communication, and the students began taking advantage of the opportunity by storing more expensive beverages like milk, soda and juice, Coshenet said.

“We are not your grocery store,” said Coshenet, stressing that all beverages except for water are to stay in the cafeteria.

Because Coshenet and Chartwells workers noticed too many students abusing the water bottle privilege, Coshenet sent a request to the Office of Student Development to prohibit personal water bottles from the cafeteria. The ban went into effect in November.

Mary Gleich, president of student senate, said students responded immediately after the ban took place. “A lot of people were like, ‘What’s going on? Why did this happen?’” said Gleich.

However, students’ reactions have continued to subside since the ban’s launch, and Coshenet has heard few complaints.

Even so, students still wonder why carrying out different beverages was
wrong in the first place. “We’re paying for our food and drink anyway,” Gleich said. “I didn’t see it as a problem.”

Coshenet, however, feels differently about the situation. “We’re an all-you-can-eat facility in (the cafeteria),” he said. The food from the cafeteria is meant to stay in the main dining hall. Chartwells offers special features like take-out containers and bags if students choose to eat their meals elsewhere. Coshenet feels the food service does its best to accommodate students’ busy schedules.

“I don’t like to say ‘no,’” Coshenet said. “We’re here to take care of the students. But when it comes down to it, we gave an inch, and they took a mile.”

Still, the water bottle ban is not a permanent decision. Coshenet said that Chartwells is open to once again allowing personal water bottles back into the cafeteria if students show high interest. “That door would gladly be opened again, so long as they know it’s only for water.”