MOORHEAD — As students returned to campus in August, they were greeted with a series of changes including the newly opened Heimarck Center, the Achieve program and a change in the previous year’s Flex Swipe policy.
The impact of the new policy on Maize traffic has been significant, according to Dining Services student manager Bryan Zamora.
The Maize used to receive much more traffic, Zamora said.
The new policy, as described on signs displayed in the Maize and the Knutson Campus Center, outlines the following points:
- Flex Swipes are valued at $9.00.
- Flex Swipes can be used in the Maize after Anderson Commons closes for the evening (7:45 pm Sunday – Thursday and 7:00 pm Friday and Saturday).
- One Flex Swipe may be used per day.
- Flex Swipes may be used for prepared food products, fountain beverages, and brewed hot coffee or tea. Commercially packaged products, such as bagged chips or bottled beverages, may not be purchased with Flex Swipes but can be purchased with Dining Dollars.
These changes have had a substantial impact on how Concordia students use the Maize. Under the old policy, students were able to use a Flex Swipe at any time of day.
“The old policy was more convenient when there wasn’t much time to go through lunch in Anderson,” junior Kylie Brenny said.
Brenny indicated that she had not visited the Maize yet this year and has no plans to do so in the near future. Visiting the Maize used to be a convenient lunch option for Brenny, but in the absence of the Flex Swipe during lunch hours she will likely get her food elsewhere, Brenny said.
Sophomore Murphy Carey shares Brenny’s frustrations. Carey, a former frequent visitor to the Maize, plans on cutting down on his trips there this year.
“I used to go there often because it was quick and a great study spot, but now, I don’t plan on using the Maize very often,” Carey said.
He wishes that Flex Swipes could be used at any time of day, not only when Anderson is closed, he continued.
Both Brenny and Carey expressed their concerns about the increasing lines within Anderson Commons as a result of the new Flex Swipe policy.
Zamora acknowledged the rising traffic in Anderson Commons, contrasting with the Maize’s declining popularity.
Allowing Flex Swipes to be used in the Maize during lunch hours could provide students with a convenient and swift meal option between classes, Brenny said.
