The Campus Life Ministry (CLM) circulated a survey on 22nd October 2024 to address student concerns about the affordability and quality of food on campus. The survey received 1041 responses and sought to gauge students’ perceptions of affordability, the outlets they frequented, and their spending patterns on campus dining.
Nearly 47% of Ashoka University’s students are on need-based financial aid, according to figures provided by the Office of Financial Aid. This emphasis on accessibility and financial support is central to Ashoka’s mission, offering students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to thrive academically, without undue financial burden. The introduction of brands like Blue Tokai, Domino’s, and GreenNox (inaugurated in the last week of August and first week of September respectively) is concerning for students who already have a tight budget. These premium outlets, catering to higher-end tastes, have increased food prices on campus, raising the average cost of items like coffee or tea from Rs 25 at places like Dhaba and Dosai to Rs 40. This shift toward more expensive options creates a sense of exclusion for those who cannot afford it.
“These new outlets push students to form social circles based on socio-economic status, dividing those who can afford it from those who cannot,” notes Yashaswi Hegde, a member of the undergraduate council of the Ashoka University Student Government (AUSG).
Dibendu Dey, Director, Campus Operations, in an interview with The Edict, emphasized the administration's commitment to incorporating student feedback. Mr. Dey referenced the CLM survey results as a key factor in decision-making. He said Chai 24 was a response to students’ concerns about affordable food. The outlet balances quality with budget-friendly options.
On premium choices like Blue Tokai, Mr. Dey remarked, “We need some good coffee sellers for people who want a coffee but with a premium price. So, still INR 99 is much cheaper, if you go to the National Capital Region (NCR) [or] the outlet they have in CP it’s double the rate.”
The lack of good non-vegetarian food and the focus on certain cuisines alone makes the campus feel restrictive/alienating for those who don’t identify with the available options.
Despite the introduction of more budget-friendly options, students are concerned about the lack of diversity of food. Durbadal Chatterjee, a Ph.D. scholar, noted the lack of eastern Indian cuisines on campus and expressed disappointment over the absence of affordable non-veg options since Roti Boti’s departure, saying, “The campus now lacks a space that serves good, affordable non-veg food.”
Roti Boti was a food truck that served inside the campus until July 2024. Since the beginning of the Monsoon ’24 semester, the owners have moved nearby (just 500 metres) outside the campus.
Hemant Khatri, owner of Roti Boti, said that a member of the dining team informed them that the administration has decided to bring in bigger brands instead (bigger brands were the reason for their removal). However, Campus Life Minster Urja Hansraj (ASP‘25) and Undergraduate (UG) Council member Yashaswi Hegde (UG ‘27) both confirmed that the administration cited hygiene concerns that Roti Boti failed to follow.
Avijit Kerketta, a Young India Fellow (YIF ‘25), emphasized that campus dining should prioritize affordable, local options that resonate with student budgets while fostering a distinctive campus identity.
A UG’28 student on financial aid, speaking anonymously, expressed that all campus outlets should offer a variety of menu options, including mid-range choices. Without this, they believe the dining options become less inclusive.
To understand the ways in which the CLM plans to address the growing divide and the consequences of these changes based on survey results, Hansraj explained that their primary responsibility is to advocate for student concerns with the administration. On the plan of action once the survey report is published, Urja said that an analysis of what price range is preferred by students will help them come up with a concrete argument for the committee and the admin. Asked about the impact of their efforts, she remarked, “While our concerns do not always (though not never) translate into action, there have been several instances where we’ve made progress with the vendor management committee.”
Dey, part of the Vendor Management Committee, joined the university just nine months ago for a position that was vacant for 8-9 months. He said that they work in collaboration with the CLM before making changes. “We do consult and take feedback from the CLM, whenever we take any decision, either it be opening an outlet, or changing of a menu, or even proposing something in Dining ” added Dey.
With nearly half the student body receiving financial aid, the introduction of expensive outlets raises critical concerns about affordability and inclusivity. In institutions such as Ashoka, where building a sense of community-based inclusivity is critical, it is essential to bridge these gaps.
The CLM survey report, according to Hansraj, is expected to be out by the 2nd week of January. Without the survey results, their action plan remains unfinished. This raises the question of whether the promises made by CLM and the administration will lead to a dining culture that reflects the diverse socio-economic realities of students or deepen existing divides, further marginalizing those who already feel excluded. The time to address these questions is now – before the campus loses its essence of shared belonging.
[Edited by Fatema Tambawalla and Srijana Siri]
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