Editor’s Note: The Viewpoints Editorial board consists of Viewpoints editors and writers. The position taken does not reflect the opinions of everyone in the Hilltop Views staff. 

Last year, the pasta bar in the South Congress Market was one of the most popular options among students. Chef Edgar perfected the art of the Southwestern mac-n-cheese, tortellini with chicken and peppers and other incredibly balanced pasta meals. 

The menu changed week-to-week, with options ranging from pizza, chicken and burger options, to pho and pasta. The salad bar was full of protein-full add-ons, with multiple healthy choices. 

The format of meal plans last year was incredibly successful — the funds were transferrable to different places on campus and were easier to use. Back then, the opportunity to use Topper Tender balance to support the local Cabo Bob’s was also much appreciated, but the new meal plan structure has been significantly more difficult to take full advantage of.

Throughout the year, students noticed that Chartwells’ Topper Eats has three major goals: more options at the dining hall, better and healthier alternatives and more affordability at the Grab & Goat. None of these promises have rung true — in fact, Grab & Goat prices seem to have risen from last year. A box of four PopTarts costs upwards of $5 at the GAG and is priced at $2.75 at H-E-B. 

At the end of the Fall 2025 semester, many students were left with an overwhelming majority of their meal swipes and no Flex Dollars.Students may not have eaten enough meals throughout the day and were unable to keep up a healthier diet. The limited amount of Flex Dollars had seemingly less bang for their buck at GAG and Meadows Coffeehouse. With less money allocated toward GAG and Meadows, as well as higher prices, there is simply not enough money needed to stock up on food and snacks to fit people’s busy schedules.

Students are paying, at most, $3,095 per semester, only to be met with an inability to grab a coffee in the morning because they don’t have enough Flex Dollars, or any meal equivalencies for the week. The frustration is that a massive portion of the money students are paying goes unused, because it’s stuck as “meal swipes,” and not transferable to the dining locations students use more often. Many students already struggle to afford the cost of attendance at St. Edward’s University. The restructuring of the dining system is frustrating because dining services, Chartwells and the administration department have yet to fulfill their promises. It’s disappointing to feel like so much money is being wasted, stuck as “meal swipes.” If there’s a significant amount of meal swipes left, why does the student not get refunded? 

A number of students live off of savings and have difficulty setting money aside. Some work from one to three part-time jobs. Many students do not have the money to replenish their Flex Dollars to get a regular-sized box of cereal for $10. That kind of price gouging is ridiculous and a slap in the face of the students. 

Bigger schools have the benefit of using their meal plan at local restaurants, such as the Snarf’s on E Dean Keeton Street accepting Bevo Pay. Our two dining halls were consolidated to one, we lost Equity Cafe and now GAG is closed on the weekends. Topper Eats should work for the students — less options, eliminating Equity Cafe and closing the convenience-type-store on weekends makes eating regular meals inconvenient for the average student. 

Other than financial difficulties, there have been some instances where students have reported feeling sick after eating at the salad bar. This could be due to a lack of turnover of food that’s been sitting out all day. Larger universities have more traffic and sufficient turnover, unlike the smaller student population on the hilltop. 

There have been constant discouraging moments from the dining hall such as  grabbing a plate of chicken and rice and finding the rice undercooked and the chicken somewhat rubbery. However, to be fair, there are enjoyable meals at SoCo — they consistently serve great pizza and chicken tenders and occasionally a delicious lasagna. However, the promise of variety in the menus has yet to be seen. 

It’s extremely difficult to eat enough calories and eat healthy, full meals with the food offered at SoCo. SoCo’s meal options consist of pizza, chicken tenders, burgers, and more often than not, “Totchos” or a “Walking Taco” — essentially a Frito pie, or loaded nachos with tater tots. That’s not a whole meal, that’s ballgame food. Steamed vegetables, or fruits other than melons are rarely an option. Even pita chips and hummus would be a nice addition, but the entire menu needs more. 

On weekends, the breakfast often doesn’t get changed until midday, resulting in cold eggs and lukewarm sausage patties for anyone getting breakfast after 9 a.m. On a smaller note, the lack of bacon on the breakfast menu is often disheartening.

There was a general impression that the contract with Chartwells was less expensive for the university than contracting with Bon Appetit. If that’s the case, why are GAG prices higher? Why is students’ meal plan money being wasted and left unused? If the school is saving money on this deal, why are students losing the value of theirs?

There is a worry that disapproval and dissatisfaction with Topper Eats will further dwindle new student numbers and put the school in a worse financial position, at a time when many departments are already lacking funding. 

An idea that could benefit students would be to allow students to transfer their unused meal swipes to Flex Dollars. This would greatly alleviate the frustration with meal plans, and let students more effectively use their money. 

Another possible idea for Topper Eats to consider would be repricing items at the GAG, to be more affordable and reflect reasonable prices, or better compared to retail prices. Students should be encouraged to voice their concerns and experiences and Topper Eats to reevaluate their menu to include more variety and healthier options. 

The students are a massive part of what makes the hilltop a community. When the dining system on campus is inconvenient, unsatisfactory, and in some cases, a source of stomach-aches, it gives students the impression that we’re not being taken seriously and that our quality of life on campus isn’t a priority.