Katies practice leading and influencing in a whole new way during dining hall protest
Cover image: An empty dining hall during a testosterone crisis
By Skylar Mattson
Every Katie knows the feeling. The feeling of awkwardness and dismay when seeing what we are all able to pinpoint as a boyfriend interrupting the flow of the dining hall.
It appears that this unpleasant boyfriend experience is becoming quite universal for Katies. Mitch Shelton, the general manager of St. Kate’s dining hall, reported, “Sodexo is experiencing a significant decrease in revenue as they are noticing a decrease in students using the dining hall.”
When St. Kate’s students were asked if they had been to the dining hall recently, many reported that they were tired of their experience being ruined by boyfriends acting like they own the place.
“It is frustrating to be waiting for my food and to then see other students and their boyfriends come in,” shared Sarah Benton ‘26 (Biology). “I always just feel so annoyed for the students who then have to wait even longer for their food because someone’s boyfriend comes in and orders half the menu. Plus, the cook will strike up an extra long conversation with the guy. Hello, can we keep the attention on the women who need to fuel their bodies to lead and influence?”
Fanah Fingabrand ‘25 (Business, Economics minor) told me about how hard it is to eat peacefully in the dining hall. “One minute, I will just be eating peacefully. The next second, I look up and BAM — there is just a man staring at me, walking with his girlfriend on his way to wreak havoc in the cafeteria.”
This brings the St. Kate’s community to wonder what is bringing all of these couples to the dining hall. Has the dating game changed so much that a man cannot even take a girl on a proper date anymore? It’s common knowledge that the dining hall lacks a certain level of class. However, the real lack of class sets in when the lady pays for the mediocre food because she will tell the lad, “I have too many meal points anyway,” even if she is actually running low.
As it becomes difficult to come to a fair explanation for this increase of suitors at the dining hall, the question of whether one’s taste buds could be to blame arises. I checked in with Dr. Mary Hunderson, who has been a faculty member in St. Kate’s biology department for 10 years, to get her take on if a taste bud malfunction could be to blame.
Henderson informed me, “Anything is possible. It is critical to remember that unlike women who are mostly developed by the age of 18, men are still developing in their early 20s, and many of the gentlemen we see in the dining hall tend to fit into this age category. Although I cannot say with complete certainty that their taste buds will change during this time of development, it is completely possible.”
Is the mediocre food of St. Catherine University tasting universally delicious to the boyfriends of St. Kate’s students? Is it a craving causing this dilemma?
When asked about how he was handling the decrease in students seen at the dining hall, Shelton explained, “I simply cannot figure out what is causing the decrease in students. I have heard rumors that it is because some students are bringing their boyfriends to the dining hall, and this is making other students uncomfortable. As a general manager, I see an extra mouth to feed as extra money. Plus, those boys can really eat.”
Shelton did not seem thrilled about his options to get Katies back in the dining hall. “What do they expect me to do? Make the dining hall for students only? I just do not see enough revenue coming out of that. Sodexo would like to stay open to all, even if it is causing a level of discomfort and frustration for students. I think it is something that will just have to be worked through in time.”
Will Katies stay nourished, or will St. Kate’s legacy of educating women to lead and influence become as famished as its students are? It is a battle between the genders as old as time, a tale that is sure to end up in print in one of St. Kate’s many signature catalogs.
