Exeter students have voted emphatically in favour of removing the controversial catering charge introduced by College in a survey on alternatives to the non-redeemable £840 per annum that they currently pay.
In a survey conducted by the college’s Governing Body, 83.9% of students voted in favour of this option. 254 out of the 501 eligible students participated, representing a turnout of 50.7%.
The option removes the fixed catering charge but involves a 50% cut to four main college grants, including the vacation study grant. Rent increases will also contribute to making up the college’s deficit.
Richard Collett-White, the JCR President, told Cherwell, “In my opinion, it’s by far the best outcome. Fixed battels are going down and the burden of keeping Hall afloat will be shared more fairly between the student body and College.
“For the first time, College will be under pressure to encourage students to eat in Hall which will surely improve value for money. Most importantly, we will begin to see how much we’re really paying for our meals at till. I hope the majority of the JCR will be proud of the progress we have made — our efforts were not in vain! Perhaps others will be inspired by our example!“
Other alternatives included a reduction of the existing catering charge and a prepaid redeemable charge with an adjustment of rents and food costs.
Students within college ran a campaign in favour of this option, called ‘#Yes2Two’. A campaign poster in the JCR featured a picture of Desmond Tutu and the accompanying text, “A catering charge means you are forced to pay for the running costs of hall whether you choose to eat there or not. Current prices at the till are deceptive, they show less than half the real cost! With option 2, you will pay for hall when you choose to use it. So if you’d rather get a £3.30 Boot’s meal deal than a £4 meal deal from the bar, you won’t be losing out.”
It is not yet guaranteed that this change will be put in place. The results of the survey will be announced in ninth week to Governing Body, who will then decide what action to take.
The survey follows a protracted campaign by students. Last term, students staged a two and a half week hall boycott in protest at the charge and launched a popular “Hallternatives” scheme, which led to an open meeting between students and senior management and subsequent consideration by Governing Body.
Students contacted have expressed relief at the news. Ed Nickell, last year’s JCR President when the campaign began, told Cherwell, “Two years ago when I was President we started our campaign with an angry slogan (Fuck the Catering Charge). Now Richard can claim our first victory. Thanks to the protests and support of Oxford students, today there IS a Hallternative!
“I’m not sure which is more exciting – the end of finals or the cut in the charge! Both are the product of hard work and frustration.
“Students must continue to campaign on Oxford’s living costs; Desmond Tutu warns us to never be satisfied with the crumbs from the table: demand the full menu. In the words of Conchita Wurst, WE ARE UNSTOPPABLE!”
Tutku Bektas, JCR Secretary, who was involved in the catering charge negotiations commented, “Both students and Fellows put a lot of effort into these negotiations and it is really good to see that a healthy activist spirit fostered as a result of the protest and discussions. I know the JCR especially would like to thank all the other JCRs that showed support during last term’s Hall Boycott, whether in motions of solidarity or opening their halls to Exeter students”
Sam Whitely, former JCR Treasurer, commented, “I’m thrilled to see all of our hard work and activism bring positive change to the JCR. Here’s hoping that the JCR stays as active as it has been.”
However, some expressed concerns that an increase in food costs could have a detrimental social effect if Hall use declines. Ella Shallow, second year mathematician, said, “I voted for option 2 because it is the fairest option for the majority of students, but I think it’s a shame for college life that this will (in my opinion) result in a dramatic reduction in Hall use.
“Since the 40% rise was a condition of scrapping the catering charge, I don’t believe that College will reduce prices to compete with alternatives outside college; I will rarely go to Hall next year, whereas I’ve been eating there most of the time up to now.”
Update, 23/6/2014: Exeter College’s Governing Body has confirmed that it will enact option two as voted for by students. As a result of the change the average daily cost of food for Exeter students should be £8.71
