 Are Our Meals Expensive?
This week, unlike most
weeks, I'm going to write about an issue that most other students also complain about. We
Bilkent News columnists are sometimes criticized for not discussing negative things about
Bilkent. However, I realize that one thing most everyone is interested in, no matter what
department they're in, what city they come from or how old they are, is the food available
on campus and how much it costs. Most Bilkent students complain about food prices here.
It's true that we have countless opportunities and a high standard of living at Bilkent.
Still, it's not fair to pay that much for meals on campus.
I'm also highlighting this
issue because in a website called www.bilkentliler.com,
a survey is being conducted (it's still in progress, so you can still give your opinion)
that asks students what they think about the price of food on campus. Eighty-six percent
said that food was expensive. So, there must be something really serious to talk about
here.
Eating is, of course, very
important, especially for students, considering their youth and mental workload. In order
to use your brain, you should eat well. Unfortunately, we have to do this very
expensively, except at table d'hote, where the least expensive meal, with three different
dishes, costs 3.50 YTL. Food and beverages sold at different outlets on campus can vary
widely in price. For instance, at the Speed Restaurant a single hot chocolate costs 2.50
YTL, but in the Nescafe Machine it costs just 35 YK. Why do we have to pay such a
difference?
In addition, the prices
are getting higher each year. Yet, in spite of the high prices, it's getting harder to
find seats in the restaurants during lunch breaks. So, while most people complain about
the prices, they still keep eating on campus. Why is this? It's simple: we need to eat,
and we don't have an easy alternative. So, it seems we have to accept the prices.
In spite of the common
perception, not all Bilkent students can afford to spend limitless money for useless
things. And I, for one, wouldn't be proud of paying more for something than it's worth.
I'm not going to pay more than 2 YTL for only one dish, and certainly not 5 YTL for a
salad, which doesn't even have to be cooked.
I sometimes wonder, is
this food brought in from outside of the country and prepared by famous chefs? Seriously,
we're students, and most of us live away from home. We try to work things out while also
taking care of ourselves. I spend more than half of my money on food and still don't think
I'm getting healthy, appetizing meals. Most people say that they don't like the way the
food tastes, find the portions small, and think the dishes are very oily and
unhealthy-looking. If we're paying this much money, we should get healthier and better
food. I hope this column will receive attention, and that we may be given the opportunity
to eat healthy, satisfying, delicious and cheaper meals.
Gülay Acar (COMD/III)
howtoreachgulay@yahoo.com
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