The Office of Housing and Dining has revised its policy at the Fresh Food Cafe (FFC) to now allow students to bring backpacks into the dining area. The change comes in response to a string of thefts from the front vestibule area of the FFC over the past several weeks. The thefts included a backpack and a laptop.
"We wanted to give students a greater sense of security for their personal belongings," David Furhman, Director of Dining Programs, said.
In effect since this past Monday, the policy change has been enacted on a trial basis. In an e-mail sent out to students on Monday, Furhman outlined reasons for the previous policy to not allow backpacks in the dining area, including possible trip hazards, space concerns over where students could place bags and concerns over food theft.
Despite the concerns, the Dining Office decided to reexamine its policy.
"[The thefts] were very concering [and] caused us to take pause and [reevaluate] what would be best for students," Furhman said.
In addition to the policy change, additional security cameras have been installed in the vestibule area.
To avoid potential mishaps, Furhman listed guidelines by which students should stow their backpacks in the dining area in his e-mail on Monday. Such precautions included stowing backpacks underneath tables, ensuring straps are not intertwined with furniture and avoiding placing bags on tables or chairs.
The new policy, Furhman stressed, is operating on a trial basis; violations thereof will yield "swift and appropriate disciplinary action" by the Office of the Dean of Student Life.
Few freshmen have raised objections to the stipulations of the new policy. Freshman Conor Flannigan, who claimed he brings his laptop to "every meal" due to convenience, said he relishes the diminished risk of theft.
"It's good to know that my belongings are finally safe with me while I eat," Flanigan said.
In regard to personal safety, others have noted an improvement in quality that proves contrary to the expectations of dining officials. For instance, the tripping hazards in the vestibule area have diminished, according to freshman Jasmin Gonzalez.
"I actually used to trip on backpacks waiting in line for lunch," Gonzalez said. "My friends and I used to vouch for cubbies, but this definitely works too. Less inconvenient, definitely."
