The dining hall has been the center of attention – not just in Point Park’s student rumors and administrative meetings, but also in Pittsburgh’s media coverage such as in TribLive and WTAE. The more frequently discussed frustrations typically lie in the options or the quality of the food. However, most students overlook one issue: the hours. 

While I do believe that Point Park students and, more specifically, on-campus residents tend to overly harp upon the inconveniences of the available amenities, the dining hall’s limited hours of operation is an issue that I face on a day-to-day basis. 

Currently the hours on weekdays consist of breakfast: 7 a.m. – 10 a.m., lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and dinner:  5 p.m. – 8 p.m. On weekends they are open for brunch: 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and dinner 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. 

These hours align with the typical meal times of an American adult. The dining hall offers multiple hour time spans, which allows students some flexibility to grab their food quickly or sit down for their meals. Each individual utilizing the dining hall has very different schedules. For many students, I am aware that these hours could be unproblematic.

Though, in my experience, the dining hall hours feel more restrictive than supportive to student life, especially in a school with many arts majors. I feel that the hours fail to reflect one of Point Park’s claims to fame: being an urban school with a fast-paced environment.

As a dance major, my schedule begins at 8 a.m. every single morning and is packed with classes all throughout the day until 4:10 p.m. Last semester on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I would have one 10-minute break in my entire day. Following that, dancers have rehearsals all evening and other commitments. 

So, when the dining hall closes at 8 p.m, the only “late night” options on campus are the snack section at point cafe, which is open until 10 p.m. and Point Perk which is open until 9 p.m. (Monday-Thursday). Most other restaurants in the area also close around 9 p.m., so many students tend to go hungry. 

As a university with a renowned Conservatory of Performing Arts, newly consisting of both a School of Dance and School of Theater, Film and Animation, it is crucial to be mindful of common industry-based problems. Specifically, those involving eating disorder culture. Inevitably, many performers here on campus fight a silent struggle with disordered eating. Furthermore, as not just performers but also young, developing adults, we are very susceptible to developing natural eating issues. By not having solid meals available more throughout the day, this naturally dismisses these relevant issues that directly affect the Point Park community. 

Aside from just art students, Point Park is home to various sports teams and a surplus of athletes. With rigorous practices crammed between classes and homework, another huge part of the student body is affected by having meals only available at inconvenient times throughout the day.  Some athletes wake up to attend a workout at 7 a.m. and go straight to an 8 a.m. class that may not end until 10:00 a.m. In that case, those students would not be able to eat breakfast before or after their morning routine. 

This is not a hypothetical; it’s a reality for more students than Point Park would like to admit. 

In all honesty, I believe being a college student, whether involved in the arts or athletics, is enough alone to need the dining hall to be more open. Students rely on the dining hall for balanced healthy meals. 

When the dining hall is not open, students turn to non-healthy alternatives, which can lead to life-long poor eating habits, stress and worsened academic performance. 

It is also not financially realistic to buy ingredients and prepare meals in dorms where students are not permitted microwaves, whilst paying at least $3,000 per semester for a meal plan simply because all options on campus are closed too early in the evening. 

A final but significant aspect of my frustrations involve the weekend brunch hours. The dining hall does not open until 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, Point Perk does not operate on weekends and Point Cafe does not open until 11 a.m. That means students who have rehearsals, athletic practices, study groups and any personal commitments prior to 11:00 a.m are responsible to feed themselves all while paying for a meal plan.

It would be unfair to not acknowledge the recent efforts made by University higher-ups who have extended the hours of Point Perk, which is open Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. This was a solid attempt at offering students more food options within the open hours. 

I did not intend to be so extensive with my thoughts on this matter but so many students are affected that it would be cruel to be inaccurate when describing these circumstances. We should not have to sacrifice our time, health and mentality due to the out-of-touch dining hall hours. 

A shift in later evening hours, extended breakfast hours and earlier weekend hours, would be a great place for administration to take action and provide for the demands of modern student life.