{
"type": "rich",
"version": "1.0",
"provider_name": "Action Network",
"provider_url": "https://actionnetwork.org",
"html": "",
"author_name": "Binghamton University YDSA",
"author_url": "https://actionnetwork.org/groups/bingydsa",
"title": "We Deserve Affordable and Safe Food on Campus",
"thumbnail_url": "https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg",
"description": "Binghamton University frequently touts its status as a “public ivy,” emphasizing its commitment to affordability and excellence on campus. Despite this promise, university dining services—provided by Sodexo—are far too expensive, not accommodating towards student dietary restrictions, and lack the quality students expect from the university. We deserve a university where we aren’t price-gouged, where dining workers are paid livable wages, and where attempts are not made to union-bust student worker organizing. President Stenger himself acknowledges “students [are] struggling with food insecurity and failing to maintain proper nutrition because of low income or difficulty in accessing food” on campus. With the university's contract with Sodexo set to expire before next semester, now is the time for us to act and demand the dining services we deserve. To ensure affordability, accessibility, and dignity are prioritized on our campus, we must organize to ensure Sodexo and the new contract meet our demands. We demand: Meal Plan Reform - Removal of $2,130 Membership Fee - Replacement of Dining Dollars in Residential Dining Halls with a Meal Swipes Program Health and Safety Protections - Implementation of contract language mandating additional Binghamton University-run health inspections and adding substantive penalizations on a food provider when it does not meet health and safety standards - Semesterly publication of health and sickness data of students who fall ill from eating at the dining hall Dietary Accommodations - Every dining hall must include a “Simple Servings” station where all employees must receive cross-contamination training. “Simple Servings” must be able to accommodate any students with allergies or dietary restrictions, such as vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free. - An additional Kosher Korner must be established on campus, and both of these stations must be open for at least 3 hours for every meal. - The establishment of two weeklong halal stations on campus, each open for at least 3 hours for every meal, with operational hours adjusted for Ramadan observation. - Vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and halal options offered at Nite Owl Worker Rights/Dignity - Continued employment of union workers, regardless of the food provider, and voluntary recognition of unionized student workers - Minimum $20/hour pay floor for food workers",
"url": "https://actionnetwork.org/letters/campus-dining-campaign-petition"
}