For some students, pizza, hamburgers, sushi and the other foods offered in the Tiger Den are enough to satisfy any craving or pang of hunger. However, other students, because of religious, personal or cultural beliefs, want more food choices in the Tiger Den and across campus.
Tonight, the Student Government Association will vote on a resolution recommending that The University of Memphis Dining Services meet with the Student Government Association to investigate ways ARAMARK can provide students with specific dietary foods, such as kosher, halal, vegetarian and vegan foods. The only products in the Tiger Den specifically marketed to vegans are the "Vegan Bars," which cost $1.99 and are located next to the ice cream.
Jessica Gibbons, author of the legislation, said in the bill that The University should "take every step necessary to provide for these students, to the extent possible."
Although Gibbons resigned from the SGA Tuesday for personal reasons, the SGA will still vote on the bill, according to Brian Kennedy, senator and parliamentarian of SGA.
Kathryn Green, a sophomore majoring in English literature, said more dieting choices across campus are a "great idea."
"I think it would be lovely for The University to provide food for students who have specific food preferences," she said.
Deana Nicholson, a senior computer science major and a member of Vegetarian Students of America, also expressed approval of the bill.
"It's a great idea," she said. "There's only so many salads you can eat in the Tiger Den. At least a couple of options would be nice."
Julie Goldstein, director of Hillel of Memphis at the Jewish Student Union, also praised the bill, although she doesn't adhere to a kosher diet.
"Personally, I think it's a great idea for students, as well as prospective students," she said. "I think it's great that The University is noticing that there are students who have different traditions and that they're catering to them."
However, kosher and halal foods require special preparation and different ovens from the ones used to cook non-kosher and non-halal foods. Those ovens, according to Karl Hicks, the Tiger Den executive chef, could prove to be an obstacle if The U of M is going to begin cooking kosher and halal foods.
"We're really short on the ovens around here," he said. "It would be very hard. You'd have to have a brand new oven."
If SGA votes favorably on the resolution, The University will meet with student senators to discuss ideas. Those senators will then present the committee's findings to the SGA.
"The bill doesn't call for much specific action," Kennedy said. "It's an investigation that is to be reported to the public. It's calling on The University to look into it and make their decision."
Kennedy expressed his approval of the bill and said there was an obvious problem with the current food choices for some students.
"It's not that hard to see that if you're on a strict diet, such as veganism, you don't have as many choices," he said.
Gionni Carr, president of the SGA, recently met with Danny Armitage, associate dean of students at Residence Life and Dining Services, to discuss lowering the price of food on campus. Neither Carr nor Armitage returned The Helmsman's phone calls.
Kennedy was skeptical about the outcome of their meeting, however.
"Based on The University's choices of the food venders," he said, "it doesn't look like they're aiming for lower food prices."
