Commons gets it right, but should be open late night

By Dominique Sterling |Staff Writer|

CSUSB will never become a school known for great school spirit unless it becomes a place where students who live on and off campus have a place to meet and socialize late at night.

The main and easiest way people can socialize is around food, and there is no better place on campus to do that than the Commons with their main dining room.

I have been attending the CSUSB campus for three years and had never eaten at the Commons until last Thursday.

Since then it has become my first choice for a meal.

I was very surprised at the amount of healthy yet wholesome choices that the menu offered.

Entering the Commons I found it very pleasurable to see the food being prepared and not deep-fried in grease. Unlike the Santos Manuel Student Union, I feel like the
Commons offers fresh choices.

With the new year came new resolutions, I promised myself that I would get into shape and shed some pounds.

With the menu that the Commons has to offer, it allows me to make better eating choices, especially having to be at school a good part of the week.

The menu not only offers what is being served it also includes the calorie count which permits me to eat according to my diet plan.

Many health conscious students and faculty often find it difficult to find healthy choices on campus, that’s why it is such a shame that the Commons is not open when the students really need it to be.

Choosing between nutrition and convenience can distract many of us from the better choices.

The variety at the Commons also is a big plus. It keeps each meal new exciting. However, there are fan-favorites that they continually offer such as pizza, burgers, and the salad bar.

Because CSUSB is a commuter school, it is very important there are plenty of options for students to have a healthy choice for meals.

“It’s cheap. Service is quicker and a larger variety. They definitely want to try and meet the needs of the students,” said student Gill Rutherford. “Eating in the Commons allowed me to get my food, pay, eat and still have time to casually walk to class.”

The Commons is open Mon -Fri, 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Mon-Wed, Dinner 5 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.; Sat-Sun 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. This is not helpful to the student who takes a full load of classes the whole day until late at night.

One area on campus that does have convenient hours, is the Recreation and Fitness Center, which is open until midnight.

The Rec Center and the Commons could go hand-in-hand for many students who want to “carb up” or just follow their workouts with a healthy and balanced meal.

I don’t think it’s too much to ask from Sodexo, who has a strangle hold on food here on campus, to try and make student life a little easier.

Although the schedule for the Commons may not permit all students to have every meal there, I strongly suggest that when you do get the chance to enjoy a meal there. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

With the great selection that the Commons offers I can say the only negative is their lack of availability.  Because of my awkward scheduling this quarter I am able to enjoy their food. The only need I see that would have to be addressed would be the lack of open business hours.