Three weeks after E|Dining announced the closure of multiple campus dining and market locations, Eastern Michigan University students remain frustrated by the changes.
An email sent Aug. 18, 2025, a week before fall classes were scheduled to begin on Aug. 25, announced that E|Dining would close several market and restaurant locations across campus.
E|Dining stated that changes were made based on student preferences and traffic, however residents and commuters alike have expressed that the changes do not meet their needs.
Opinions and Feedback
Senior psychology student Kelsey Perry has lived on campus for four years and is struggling with the recent changes.
“I used to go to Eagle’s Grind for breakfast but now they open at 3 p.m.,” Perry said. “It was easy to go to the market before you go to class and grab a sandwich or whatever, or even use the microwaves, but they don’t even have those anymore.”
The Eastern Echo used social media to conduct a survey gathering students' opinions on the E|Dining changes. The unofficial survey was posted from The Eastern Echo’s Instagram account on Aug. 27, 2025, using the Instagram Schools feature for Eastern Michigan University.
The Eastern Echo conducted an Instagram survey to collect student opinions of the Aug. 2025 E|Dining changes.
Out of 70 students surveyed, three perceived the changes as positive, 12 remained neutral, and 55 felt that the changes had a negative effect on campus life.
Student Petition
The day after the email was sent, EMU junior Jason Folk, a philosophy and communication major also pursuing a minor in political science, launched a Change.org petition called "Restore Accessible Dining Options at EMU," which, as of Sep. 9, had 1,582 signatures.
EMU students launch petition drive demanding restoration of campus food markets
The student-led petition demands four things: the return of Eagle's Markets, a live opportunity for students to voice their concerns, an extension of the operating hours for currently open campus dining locations and for the dining options in the Student Center to be restored or replaced.
“They stated that this was what students wanted,” Folk said. “Considering the increasing backlash and the number of signatures, they were wrong. They obviously did not think through the impacts of this in the community and on students.”
Costs and Concerns
The financial implications of E|Dining’s recent decisions have also been brought into question.
“E|Dining and the EMU admin have to know that they cannot get away with prioritizing profit over people,” Folk said.
Perry questioned the value of the proposed Streetscape Selfie Wall E|Dining plans to debut in the Student Center later this fall.
“I think the selfie wall is just – I think, bizarre. This is what our money is going toward?” Perry said.
Student concerns have been raised over the unexpected timing of the announcement. The initial Aug. 18 email was sent just one week before fall classes began, by which time many campus residents had finalized their meal plan decisions.
“Students bought meal plans months before these changes were announced. I want a refund!” commented Abby on the petition.
Greg Richards, E|Dining Director of Marketing, expressed empathy for the frustration he has heard from students.
“What I’ve seen a lot in terms of feedback is that we kind of ‘bait-and-switched’ people,” Richards said. “I can assure people that was not anybody’s intention.”
Richards emphasized that quality of service and meal plan value are major priorities for E|Dining. While the quantity of food options is shrinking, Richards intends for the quality of what remains on campus to improve.
“If we close these other resources and funnel them to other locations on campus, what can we do for the guest experience?” Richards said.
Food Access
Students have also become increasingly concerned about hunger on campus.
Laniah Anderson, a junior studying business administration and management at EMU, spoke to her personal experience with hunger on campus when asked if she felt it was becoming more prevalent.
“Yes. ‘Cause I be starving,” Anderson said.
With the decrease in access to food on campus, many students have turned to alternative resources to meet their needs.
Julie Harkema, faculty advisor for Swoop’s Food Pantry, said the pantry reported a record-breaking number of student visitors in one day on Aug. 25, 2025.
“We had 165 students come through on the first day of class, so we were pretty much wiped out,” said Harkema.
Colton Ray, a graduate student studying social work and Graduate Assistant at Swoop's Panty, reported that the average number of daily shoppers during the 2024-25 academic year was 79. This year's first day of school was more than double last year's average.
In an effort to support Swoop's Pantry, E|Dining announced that 5% of all TrueBurger sales will be donated to the pantry. Donations will be doubled on "Feel Good" giveback days each semester, which have yet to be announced.
Looking Ahead
Folk promised to send an open letter to university administration when the student petition reached 1,000 signatures.
On Aug. 21, 2025, Folk sent an email to Richards, Provost Rhonda Longworth and Chief of Staff Leigh Greden. On Aug. 28, 2025, Folk sent an additional email to multiple university administrators, including Chief Financial Officer Michael Valdes, Executive Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer Kristen Ayres, Financial Analysis Manager Matthew Williams and University President James Smith.
Folk said he has not received any response from administration.
