Though response from freshmen regarding the meal plans has not been particularly warm in past years, the Class of 2008 seems to be happy with the wide variety of choices offered, thanks to several new changes that have been implemented this year.
By beginning the fall semester with more dining options and improving upon the changes put into place last year, Penn Dining Services continues to respond to students' needs.
In addition to offering students more choices through a healthy eating option entitled Just4You, more outlets throughout campus have worked to accommodate the undergraduate body.
Houston Market and the 1920 Commons food court, among others, now accept credit and debit cards.
Triangle Diner is now open from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Unlike last year, when deliveries were only made during limited hours of operation, Triangle Diner will now provide delivery service every hour that it is open.
Adam Boxman, assistant food service director of Triangle Diner, said that though few calls for deliveries were placed during the first week of school, they have begun to pick up as more and more students realized the availability of the service.
"We've gotten steadily busier and busier," Boxman said, noting that between the hours of 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., business is "slamming with Penn students."
Though in past years many freshmen -- who are required to have a meal plan -- have disliked the options offered at the dining hall, the incoming class seems to like the choices.
Engineering freshman Janelle Johnson likes the meal plan, praising its flexibility.
"I think there's a lot of good options for the food. ... It's pretty versatile," she said.
"They have good days and bad days but mostly good days," Johnson added.
Nursing freshman Lisa Phuong agreed. "I actually like it a lot," she said, noting that she appreciates being able to use Dining Dollars at the different venues across campus.
Yet despite the other changes Dining Services has implemented, many students still choose not to purchase a meal plan.
Wharton sophomore Alex Garcia said she doesn't have a plan because "it seemed really useless," adding that she had over 60 unused meals left at the end of last year.
"I wasn't really a fan," she said, noting that now that she is not on the meal plan, she is exposed to healthier options.
After learning about the introduction of the Just4You program, Garcia said, "I may have liked it ... but I still don't think I would have done the dining plan."
