Costly Dining
As term comes to an end, Oxford students will face widely varying food bills. In some colleges students are finding that they are paying for meals they did not eat.
Many Keble students, for example, still have "a plethora" of unused dinner tickets: even if they have been unable to use them because of extra-curricular activities, no refunds are available - and this situation is worsened by a lack of cooking facilities.
At St Peter's, for example students, are charged a substantial compulsory yearly flat-rate of £758, which applies however seldom or often they dine in Hall. At Mansfield and Hertford, however, there is no compulsory charge and students pay per meal.
Andrew Copson, OUSU's VP (Welfare), told the OxStu: "It's obviously preferable to have a system where students have the maximum possible choice and with the best consequences for their finances. In light of this, it seems that pay as you go systems with no compulsory charges are the most student friendly."
Some colleges, such Exeter, Wadham and Christ Church, do pay a termly fee, but students can opt out of meals without a charge.
12th Jun 2003