CSB+SJU needs to do better for their out-of- state and international students over breaks

For out-of-state students and international students, CSB+SJU has promoted their image as a welcoming
atmosphere introducing new profound experiences and opportunities. These students travel great distances away from their homes for the experience of being a Bennie or Johnnie, leaving behind comfort and familiarity.

While CSB+SJU provides students with many valuable resources — from alumni connections, internships and the study abroad experience — they are, at the same time, failing to address certain issues dealt with by students who remain on campus during breaks.

During the recent fall break, CSB+SJU shut down Gorecki entirely and limited the hours of service for McGlynn’s and Sexton. Notably, the Refectory had been kept open for limited hours for the monks and students that remained on campus during the break.

With CSB’s main dining hall being shut down, out-of-state and international Bennies only had the options of using their meal punches or flex at McGlynn’s, which was only opened for around two and a half hours per day. Additionally, it offered a slim menu — the grill was closed, and students’ only options were sandwiches.

These limited options meant that many students had to make inconvenient and costly trips to Kwik Trip, nearby grocery stores, or the Crossroads mall. For those without cars, this required relying on friends or paying for Ubers simply to eat. This is especially an issue for first-year and sophomore students who may not have access to full kitchens in their residence halls.

This isn’t a new problem; students have been providing feedback on break closures for years, but dissatisfaction remains. We spoke to a first-year out-of-state CSB student, Jocelyn Guevera, about her personal feelings on the issue. Guevara, originally from Texas, shared how this had affected her and other residing students on campus. She expressed difficulty in getting to McGlynn’s due to the reduced hours, and the unfairness of students having to use their meal punches or flex in order to get a basic meal.

A week before the break, flyers had been posted subtly on the doorways giving students a notice that Gorecki
would be fully closed. Guevera had recalled seeing the posters at some point before the weekend, but mentioned that it still felt it was on a short notice that could have been enacted earlier. Another notice was posted on the CSB Culinary Instagram just two days before break, announcing the full closure. Still, Guevera said it wasn’t obvious to her or others, and that it felt remarkably last-minute.

“Honestly, they should do their best to keep Gorecki open if possible, considering that the Refectory did. There are more students staying on campus than they think,” Guevera said. “After this issue, I would really
appreciate some type of group session that could help students talk about being out-of-state or international
and any issues they are confronted with while being here.”

International and out-of-state students don’t often have the ability to go home during these short breaks, and it is not realistic to expect them to buy an overpriced plane ticket for such a short amount of time. Many students like Guevera don’t feel the school considers how difficult it is being far from home and how restricting meal services for the students unable to go home is incredibly stressful.

Food is only one part of the issue. Many of the same students also lose access to other essential services during breaks. For example, the CSB+SJU libraries also shortened their hours. For students who depend on a quiet, stable environment to study or to access academic resources, this can be especially challenging. Breaks are often a chance for students to catch up on reading, homework, research papers and other academic work — tasks that require library resources, technology, and a calm place to focus. Without access to these resources, students staying oncampus are left without the tools they need to stay productive or grounded. It’s contradictory for the campuses that value scholarly endeavors and academic excellence to limit access to some of their most important learning spaces just because classes are not in session.

The fitness centers at both campuses also restricted hours or shut down entirely during the break. While this
might seem minor, fitness facilities provide an outlet for stress relief and social interaction. Physical activity
plays a crucial role in students’ mental well-being, especially during times when they might be feeling isolated
or homesick. For many out-of-state and international students, being able to work out or simply move around in a safe, familiar space offers a sense of normalcy and stability.

We have Record staff members, past and present, who are international and out-of-state students, which means we hear about these frustrations within our office and also in the larger student community. We understand that staffing shortages with student workers off-campus make keeping facilities open difficult, but we argue that other accommodations should be made to ensure these students are taken care of while others enjoy time at home. At the very least, closures should be communicated as clearly and as early as possible to minimize miscommunication.

All in all, these students shouldn’t have to suffer because of the awkwardly short breaks, and it is unfair that they don’t have easy access to the necessities that they should be confident are offered year-round.

If CSB+SJU truly wants to uphold its values of hospitality and community, it must ensure that all students — regardless of where they come from or the opportunities they have — are cared for at all times. Accessibility to food, the library, the gym and more shouldn’t pause just because classes do.