If you weren’t here before the downfall of CCSU Hilltop Cafe, located up the hill on Central’s campus, I feel sorry for you. 

Hilltop is now failing to meet the expectations of students. Before this year, Hilltop had a range of quality foods people could choose from. Last year, you were able to make your own food. 

Pans were available to the students to take and make their own meals for themselves. Oils, meats, seasonings and many more food options were provided with these pans, and you could cook to your own liking. 

Hilltop was once the heart of Central regarding its culinary options, but now it is on the same level as Memorial Hall with their quality of food.  

With access to cuisines from different walks of life, students expect their dining options to reflect more on their varied tastes and dietary preferences. 

 The model of Hilltop now consists of bland food and limited choices. Many students here at Central seek sustainable, healthy and tasty, relevant meals during their time here, but Hilltop has now failed to stick to uninspired menus that fail the student body. 

With the increase of campus tuition, students would expect to come back to an improvement to one of the most important parts of college, which is food. When students came back to campus, we did not expect one of the best food options to go downhill so quickly.  

The atmosphere of dining halls plays a big part in shaping students experiences in college. Because of the food quality at Hilltop, the social aspect of dining at Hilltop suffers. More students tend to avoid coming to Hilltop because they know the food is going to be a disappointment to them. Hilltop should be that dining hall where students feel excited to come to after a long day of schooling, yet many students now view Hilltop as a last resort. 

Ultimately, Central should recognize that investing in high-quality food options is not just another financial consideration that is not put into much thought, but essential for making a positive food culture.  

The time for change is now and the students of Central deserve better.