Blocks refund too little, too late for some Ohio State students
Published: Sunday, December 2, 2012
Updated: Sunday, December 2, 2012 21:12
 "Photo: Courtesy of Devon Brown")
Courtesy of Devon Brown
Devon Brown, a 3rd-year in psychology and sexuality studies, bought about 150 blocks worth of food before receiving an email from OSU Dining Services that said she would be refunded for each unused block.
“I have not been told that this refund will stay in place,” Stepp said.
Ahmed said the refund will not be issued again and “is a one-time adjustment.”
Stepp said USG and RHAC will continue working to ensure meal plans fit students’ needs.
“We’re going to be doing a lot of delving into exactly how many blocks students are using,” he said.
Keeping education affordable is one of USG’s central goals this year, he said.
“This is a step in the right direction,” Stepp said.
14 comments
Anonymous
I had the max amount of swipes my freshman year and used all of them every quarter. I honestly only gained around 2-3 pounds that year too.
Anonymous
Ha ha, that picture alone is a great example of why over half the population is obese. That's not 150 blocks o food.....that's 150 blocks of junk food. Nice job Devon.
I remember getting burnt on the meal plan process several years ago as a freshman and there was no refunds. It didn't happen the 2nd quarter because I switched to the minimum meal plan.
I remember getting burnt on the meal plan process several years ago as a freshman and there was no refunds. It didn't happen the 2nd quarter because I switched to the minimum meal plan.
Anonymous
Thanks RHAC!
brian
I like how Campus Dining acts like this hasn't been a problem for years because of their silly block/swipe system.
They should get rid of the whole system and use the buck-id like a debit card, with people paying cash for the exact amount of food they buy. None of this "round up to the nearest $5" crap.If the "$3 per block refund "represents the maximum amount after considering fixed (and) overhead costs", they need to cut costs. Perhaps they could get rid of the useless employees and pay the good ones a bit more to attract people who are able to efficiently dish out food."University administrators knew that if they made the announcement too soon, students would hold on to their blocks and try to get the refund, Mackey said."
Well, yeah. Is this a bad thing? They act like they're entitled to students' money. Oh wait, they are, because students living on campus are forced to buy an overpriced meal plan.
They should get rid of the whole system and use the buck-id like a debit card, with people paying cash for the exact amount of food they buy. None of this "round up to the nearest $5" crap.If the "$3 per block refund "represents the maximum amount after considering fixed (and) overhead costs", they need to cut costs. Perhaps they could get rid of the useless employees and pay the good ones a bit more to attract people who are able to efficiently dish out food."University administrators knew that if they made the announcement too soon, students would hold on to their blocks and try to get the refund, Mackey said."
Well, yeah. Is this a bad thing? They act like they're entitled to students' money. Oh wait, they are, because students living on campus are forced to buy an overpriced meal plan.
Buckeye Granny
What are blocks?
Anonymous
If they would just let the blocks roll over to next semester soo many problems would be solved.
Anonymous
I applaud the University for addressing the problem and offering a smaller block option in the future. The new semester system was bound to need some tweaking and offering credit for unused blocks was the right thing to do. I am happy to see student government's involvement--
OSU mom
Take them home over break. Your Mom and dad (and siblings) will appreciate the snacks, Devon. And I don't blame you for loading up early; my daughter has tried to spend excess swipes before and there was nothing left to choose from. You were smart to start early, it just back-fired this year. ;) And on another note, they really need to stop allowing comments on here . It serves no purpose other than letting haters do their thing.
Anonymous
I'm grateful to URDS for this conversion of unused blocks to Buck ID cash and I'm certainly not going to complain that it came "too late," whether or not I bought all that Mac-n-Cheese or whatever prior to the announcement of the new deal. Sometimes, that's just the way the cookie crumbles. I am also thankful for the new 350-Block plan. And if you do find yourself with hundreds of cases of PopTarts or Mac-n-Cheese: you can perhaps send some to our soldiers overseas or donate to homeless shelters and other food banks right now. The timing could not be better.
Anonymous
So send en email informing everyone to spend their blocks and three weeks later let them know about the refund. How nice. I would like the option to donate my unused blocks in the future if we are not going to get a refund. I am happy I didn't wait in those lines. Going to finish with ~100. I am making every effort not to eat on campus.
Anonymous
this all could be avoided if OSU would just let blocks roll over, they are still turning a profit regardless....
Anonymous
There's no denying this is a problem. But I love that Devon and the people she waits in line with spend all they can on food they don't want and THEN wonder why the university seems clueless about how big of a problem this is. DUH. Don't worry Devon, we'll all be knocking on your door in 18 days after the apocalypse when you're the only one with food.
Senior LOL
Shouldn't the third year know better by now than to get that many swipes?! She's no dumb-ass, misinformed freshman! Get with it Devon!
Anonymous
Send them EZ Macs n' PopTarts over here!!! I'm broke and I wanna go backpacking!!!
is a member of the 
