Dining Service Weighs Variable Meal Options

Harvard Dining Service administrators are considering changes in the current student meal plan, including a 14-meal option and a "declining balance system," in which students would pay only for meals they ate.

But house masters interviewed yesterday reacted with dismay to the idea of a "variable meal plan" and said it could change the atmosphere of house dining and put pressure on low-income students to skip meals.

Douglas Young, assistant director of Harvard Dining Services, said the agency is considering introducing a 14-meal plan for students who don't eat three meals a day.

He said the plan probably would not save light eaters much money because students are presently only charged for two-thirds of the meals they are allowed to eat.

"Now, a person who wants to eat 21 meals can eat 21 meals and it's roughly the same price," Young said.

But Winthrop House Co-Master Martha Davis said a 14-meal plan might have a visible impact on the house life.

"It does make a difference," said Davis. "You couldn't be sure people would be at all meals."

The other option officials have discussed is a "declining balance" plan in which students would have meals checked off on a computerized card and pay only for what they ate.

The plan has been discussed in connection with the planned transfer of first-year facilities to Memorial Hall atleast three or four years from now, said Young.

Some house master said a "pay per meal" planwould change house life for the worse.

"It might have the effect of changing thedinning hall into more of a cafeteria," saidKristine L. Forsgard, co-master of Eliot House.

Davis said she is concerned that the mealcredit plan could "detract from the feeling thatthe house is a place to come back to after a busyday."

Other masters said that less well off studentscould suffer under the credit option.

"The students with less money would be put at aterrible disadvantage," said John E. Dowling '57,master of Leverett House. "It sounds to me likeit's a bit of an elitist plan."

"I would imagine students who had to worryabout finances would being skipping meal,"Forsgard said

Some house master said a "pay per meal" planwould change house life for the worse.

"It might have the effect of changing thedinning hall into more of a cafeteria," saidKristine L. Forsgard, co-master of Eliot House.

Davis said she is concerned that the mealcredit plan could "detract from the feeling thatthe house is a place to come back to after a busyday."

Other masters said that less well off studentscould suffer under the credit option.

"The students with less money would be put at aterrible disadvantage," said John E. Dowling '57,master of Leverett House. "It sounds to me likeit's a bit of an elitist plan."

"I would imagine students who had to worryabout finances would being skipping meal,"Forsgard said