Between classes, practices and work, many Cleveland State University students rely on campus dining halls as a primary source of daily meals. The quality and consistency of those meals can shape not only students’ routines, but also their overall experience on campus.

Because all campus residents are required to have meal plans, the dining hall becomes a central part of their routine, making food quality and handling especially noticeable over time. Unfortunately, some students are finding themselves disappointed with what they see.

Ana Crangle, a student-athlete in her final year at CSU, believes she has seen a progressive decline in the dining experience since the revamp of the area.

“It's just really frustrating,” Crangle said. “All of the money I make to go towards my tuition goes towards something that I don't even like, that I don't even enjoy –  just a horrible-quality dining hall, and that makes me really sad.” 

As a member of the cross-country team, Crangle said she requires more food – especially protein – than the average student, but often finds that portions fall short. She said one of her main concerns is inconsistent serving sizes, recalling multiple instances in which she and her boyfriend ordered the same item but received noticeably different portions.

According to Crangle, those experiences make it feel as though assumptions are being made about how much she should eat.

“Being an athlete, I require more food than the regular student,” Crangle said. “I need more food and have been denied that on multiple occasions. I pay for a buffet style service – I'm not getting that, and it’s crazy.”

Crangle also said she has seen what could be health code violations, including improper food handling by employees.

“I've noticed that a lot of people touch not only food with their gloves, but then they go and touch other things that come back to their food,” Crangle said. “It’s unsanitary.”

On one occasion, Crangle was eating in the dining hall with her mom, who works in the food industry. During their meal, her mom voiced concerns about food safety.

“She noticed when we were at the dining hall that the food was out for over an hour and it hadn't been tested,” Crangle said. “It hadn't even been switched out – it was just sitting there.”

Crangle said food options are often limited later in the evening, with little to no replenishment after about 6:30 p.m. She added that drinks frequently run out and service can feel inconsistent. On weekends, parts of the dining hall are closed, restricting students to fewer options.

“It honestly just feels like the university doesn't care about its on campus residents – like they only care about the commuters,” Crangle said. “I guess that's the majority of the campus, but we are the ones that are required to have the dining plan – can they not give us good quality too?”

Kodi Reynolds, a senior at CSU majoring in journalism and public relations, agrees that the college seems to only care about commuting students. In his opinion, the poor hours over weekends shows no regard for those who actually live on campus and pay for the dining hall pass.

“My number one break is their hours on the weekend, because I feel like their hours on the weekend aren't really conducive to the fact that there are students that live on campus,” Reynolds said. “It reflects how the school prioritizes commuters over on-campus students.”

Reynolds said the dining experience doesn't meet his minimal expectations. 

“Half the time you go there and something is malfunctioning,” Reynolds said. “So it feels like it just runs on a very low standard, which is frustrating.”

But at least one student had something positive to say about his dining experience at CSU.

Alex, surname withheld at his request, is also a senior at CSU. He said he especially values the sense of community the dining space fosters, particularly when it comes to the staff.

“The staff are amazing – super friendly,” Alex said. “If you’re ever asking for something, they can accommodate you. Plus, most of the staff are students, which makes it more personable.”

Still, Crangle emphasizes the challenges she and others face, pointing to the broader impact on student-athletes who rely on consistent, nutritious meals. With demanding schedules that often limit when they can eat, she said access to reliable food options is essential for maintaining both performance and health throughout the season.

As she prepares to graduate, Crangle said her concerns have shifted to the underclassmen who will continue to navigate the same conditions. She emphasized that while her time on campus is coming to an end, the issue remains ongoing for many student-athletes who depend on the dining hall daily.

“I'm thinking about my teammates who have to deal with this for the next three to four years, and how important our nutrition is to our sport, and every sport,” Crangle said. “The fact that they don't have access to something reliable, like a good quality dining hall on a regular basis, is upsetting.”

The Cleveland Stater contacted CSU Dining Hall for a comment, but did not receive a response.