In response to the letter “Enough is enough; Mote should form task force with students to review Dining Services” and the staff editorial “Diners Club” (Dec. 8), enough really is enough. I cannot sit back and read articles lambasting the Residence Halls Association when its members work so hard to make the dining halls better. Instead of writing a column beating up on people involved, I put together a simple list of FAQ for students to digest.

– Why does it seem like RHA is anti-student?

First, the RHA is made up of only students, Second, you must consider that you may not have all the information pertaining to the manner. I have seen very few students go to RHA meetings – including the Student Government Association president – to get that information. It is not black and white and everything RHA does is so students will not have to float an even larger bill at the end of the year in the form of a cost increase.

– Why does the food cost so much?

Dining halls do not have the food purchasing power of McDonald’s or even small businesses. It costs more for them to buy the food you eat.

– Why do I pay for utilities and employee pay when I purchase food when I also pay a separate facilities fee?

If cost were all contained in the facilities fee, then on-campus students would pay for the total cost of facilities and services while those paying with cash would not contribute at all. On-campus students would pay more.

– Why are meal plans mandatory?

Most universities across the nation require this. Imagine if half of the campus population were off the meal plan. Those who still needed to be on it, like those who live on North Campus, would have to pay double what they currently do for meals or we would have to shut down services like convenience stores or even Adele’s and Late Night.

– Can we extend the hours?

Remember that hours are cut because of budget restraints, so you have a choice of paying more to get more.

– Why is it that our fees are going up but the services are not?

The answer is university President Dan Mote and his double tax system of on-campus students, rising cost of campus utilities and Gov. Bob Ehrlich and his budget cuts that take away money without creating new sources.

– Some places offer less expensive plans and better quality food. Why?

Remember the food only seems bad to many because they do not know what it is like at other schools. Second, food will never taste the same after you eat the same thing every day of the year. More importantly, the university has many places to eat. Also, many universities do not let students carry out food.

– Why aren’t are the dining facilities open 24/7?

Many other universities only have their main dining halls open during blocks of times so students can only eat during two hours in the morning, two in the afternoon and maybe three in the evening. If that were so here can anyone say, “I am skipping class because I am hungry!”

– Why is it that Dining Services said OK to no daily limits in the last three weeks of the semester but the RHA placed $40 limits when abolishing focus dates?

Dining Services said it would be “OK” with no limits but it would be at the “risk of the students.” Second, my co-worker bought meals for four of us at lunch and that wasn’t even $40 worth. Third, the problem is actually your peers who feel the need to buy more than they can eat, leaving no food for those who have late night classes or finals.

– Is it hard to be an RHA member ?

There are two types of student leaders: informed student leaders and those who follow what may seem popular at the time. I would agree that this campus does need help at times, but just think about what it was like years ago before you came. Everyone forgets about two years ago when everyone was on focus dates, South Campus residents had to park on North Campus, campus Internet was slower and the Shuttle-UM system was almost nonexistent. Instead of being angry with informed student leaders, remember they are making the real difference but are getting beat up on the most.

William Jones is a senior government and politics major and the former president of the Residence Halls Association. He can be reached at wajj@umd.edu.