Some of the prices for food and drink items have increased a noticeable amount going into the 2025-2026 school year. Students are left disappointed by these increases, especially since the quality does not seem to have changed.
Price increase
Wright State University has several options for food on campus. If students are hungry, they have options in both Allyn and the Student Union. Some food spots include the Union Market, Rowdy Subs and Sushi Boss if they are in the Student Union. In Allyn Hall, the Hanger is available, which offers a variety of food options.
Going into the 2025-2026 School year, there has been an ongoing issue with students and prices of these establishments, with the Hangar and the Union Market being the main suspects.
The Union Market itself has remarkably increased their prices. Last year to enter the all-you-care to eat buffet, it cost $9.75; this year it cost $10.50.
In the Hangar, where students pay for individual meals rather than a buffet, prices have noticeably increased as well. Joshua Cobb, an accountancy major, is one of many students who have noticed this change.
“I used to pay $12 for my meal at the Hangar. I’m now paying roughly $16 for the same meal. Which is ridiculous, I may add, because it’s not like the food quality has gone up at all," Cobb said.
With these raise in prices, the quality of the food and dining hall hours have been called into question.
Quality and hours
One of the main complaints for the dining hall is the quality of the food. Some students claim that for the money they pay, the food is not up to par.
“The food isn’t horrible, especially for college food court standards, but for what we pay, we should 100% have more options and better quality food,” Cobb said
Other students say that the price is unjustifiable, including Fern V. Lawler, a humanities master's student.
“I would also love to be able to go to the Student Union for lunch; but, seeing as my classes are over in Allyn and Fawcett, the prices don’t justify the walk for more variety," Lawler said.
They say it is more convenient to go to the Hangar rather than the Union Market.
“I always go to the Hanger due to 1: It's closer to my class halls and 2: It's about the same quality of food. Now, that's not to say the price is justified; but, compared to walking across campus, I'll take it,” Lawler explained.
Another complaint that leaves parents and students frustrated is the hours of the dining hall. The main complaint with the dining hall hours is the lack of being open on the weekends.
The most prominent place that is open for food on the weekend is the Hangar. Almost all the rest of the dining establishments on campus are closed during the weekend. This may be fine for people who live in the Woods due to proximity, but it may be hard for other on campus housing accommodations to access as easily.
Daniella Beltran, a frustrated WSU parent, discussed this issue.
“My daughter lives in Hamilton. We were excited for her to move into Hamilton because of how close it was to the dining hall. Once she moved on campus we realized that the dining hall wouldn't be open on the weekends," Beltran said.
Beltran called the university into question about the dining hall hours.
“Even the Hangar closes too early for me,” said Beltran. “I mean, we were required to get this meal plan for her to live on campus, and you're telling me that she's not to easily access meals after 4 p.m. on week days and after 6 p.m. on the weekends? That's crazy."
While the Hangar is the main dining option on campus for weekend eating, there are other on campus dining options to eat. Rowdy Subs and Pour Cafe (Starbucks) are open on Saturday until 2 p.m. Raidermart, located in front of Honors Hall, is also open on Saturday from 12-7 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
More information about dining hours can be found here.
Why?
While at the time of writing, the Wright State Guardian was not able to get a statement from WSU regarding the topic, there are a few reasons as to why this may be happening.
As far as hours go, a lot of these dining halls are staffed with student employees. With being students, these employees have their own set of class work and responsibilities outside of work to handle. Therefore, the hours seem to reflect this.
As for why the price is actually raised, a few inferences can be made. There is the standard answer of inflation. Things are generally more expensive now.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, the prices of food have increased 2.9% total in the year 2025 alone. This means that the school is paying more for the same amount of food. Food that costs more to make is naturally going to be food that costs more to buy.
Additionally, beginning in the fall semester of last year, Dining Services began putting up signs about food waste near the main trash area of the Union Market. These posters claim that significant food waste will equal food higher food cost.
There are ideas as to why things are the way that they are, but one thing is important. It is important that workers at these places are treated with kindness, as it is not their fault for changes made to dining.
“Even though I have issues with the prices and quality, I can say that I have never ran into a rude or nasty worker anywhere on campus,” said Lawler.
