The theft of spoons, forks, bowls and plates from UW-Eau Claire's dining halls has become an expensive problem.
The university's student dining program is on pace to lose at least $100,000 this school year because of dinnerware theft, said Charles Farrell, director of university centers.
Theft of dinnerware is a problem, even during a typical year. Blugold Dining averages an annual loss of $38,000 because students walk off with utensils that must be replaced, Farrell said.
This school year, that figure has jumped, reaching $70,000 by winter break, he said, and university officials aren't sure why.
"We have been baffled," Farrell said.
ADVERTISEMENT
In an effort to recapture some of the lost utensils, university officials have placed collection boxes in dormitory halls where students can return dishes without fear of reprisal, Farrell said.
He hopes students respond by reducing thefts and returning dinnerware. If they don't, Blugold Dining may stop its late night services at Hilltop Center's Riverview Cafe, the main dining hall for students living on campus. That decision likely will be made later this month.
"We're not saying no one gets dinner," Farrell said. "Basically, late night is an extra meal."
Blugold Dining still would serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, he said. But the move would have an impact because 500 to 700 students use the late night services daily.
If the dining program does curtail services, there will be opposition.
"To me, it would constitute a breach of contract," said Dylan Jambrek, UW-Eau Claire student body president.
When students sign up for meal plans, they agree to pay for a specified level of service, Jambrek said. If those services are changed, he argues that would violate the contract.
After spring break, Jambrek said, he expects the Student Senate to pass a measure opposing the move.
ADVERTISEMENT
Farrell said Blugold Dining hasn't switched to disposable utensils because they're not environmentally friendly. Meanwhile, staffers are monitoring students to make sure they're not taking dinnerware from the dining halls.
Farrell stressed that students would not be punished for returning dinnerware.
"What we don't want people to do is get scared and think university staff is going to hunt them down and have them throw their stuff in the trash," Farrell said.
Copyright (c) 2011, The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis./Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
