Photo: J. Lanier/Trilogy
By Francies Stephenson
WASHINGTON—– The University of the District of Columbia has undergone a variety of changes, one being the new cafeteria staff and meals, another construction work on the plaza, and also the change of general education course names.
The title of the cafeteria is the Firebird Inn and there is both a hot bar and a salad bar in the new cafeteria with the option of over the counter ordering. Freshmen, Talequa Banks says when she comes to the cafeteria she likes to get corn beef hash, eggs or sometimes turkey bacon with fruit. “The main thing that I like about the cafeteria is that it is always clean.”
Breakfast hot bar meals are weighed at $6.99 per lb and lunch is 7.99 per lb. Some students see these prices as reasonable and others as expensive. “I think the new cafeteria food is decent. I’m still worried about our student discount,” says, freshmen, Khalia Dewberry. This is in regard to the possibility of student discounts for cafeteria meals, drinks, and snacks. A junior thinks that the cafeteria food is too expensive so therefore he does not plan on buying any of it. Senior Nakita Sanders says, “The staff is really nice, the food is delicious and the food is affordable.” One bystander says, “I think that this is the best move for UDC when it comes to everyone’s eating habits.”
Aside from the new cafeteria staff and meals there is also construction work taking place on the plaza. Once it is finished it will be a lounge area, a fountain, and also street lights on the plaza. Graduate student Sylvester Felder says, “The construction that they’re doing on the plaza is definitely coming along and I am looking forward to seeing it completed.”
While the progress of construction may be a pleasure for some it is a hassle to others. Students have also made way for short cuts some go through the garage to avoid all the construction. “Being as though I am a freshmen I have been here long, but I was in a summer program so I learned all the tricks of how to get around campus pretty easily.” freshmen Andreya Bryson said.
The change of courses names appear to be different and even inquisitive. But are these changes of course names effective and/or transferable? Is the course content the same as it once was before?
Some of the traditional course names have gone from English 101 to Foundations of Writing Arts, & Humanities and Public Speaking to Foundations of Oral Communication.Courses are now themed such as the freshmen level English, which is Funds Wrtg it has been themed the subject of the, ever so dazzling, Harlem Renaissance.
As a result of these changes students have been subject to tuition and fee increase each academic year since 2009. It is said to be that tuition and fee increase is in order to sufficiently support each institution, which is the flagship and the community college. Senior Maurice Toyer says, “Whatever change is going on here at the school I have no problem with it, just as long as it’s beneficial to the staff and students. We need some vibrancy here, bring the life back to UDC!”
