Disclaimer: This article is based on a developing story. As of press time, The Student Movement has not been able to see the alleged contract discussed here. We are committed to reporting on additional information as it becomes available.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines culture as “the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time.” (Note: When we look at this definition of the term, it is clear that “culture” can be used to refer to any group of people who practice a particular way of life. In this article, however, I will be referring to culture in the sense of specific ethnic groups and their practices.)
Andrews University is ranked the nation’s #1 campus for ethnic diversity (tied with the University of Hawaii at Hilo) according to the 2022–23 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings. We have the distinct opportunity to exist in a space that encourages meaningful conversations about the concepts of culture and cultural diversity. Represented on our campus is a beautiful array of cultures, evidenced by flourishing cultural clubs like the Andrews Filipino International Association, the Black Student Christian Forum, and the Southern Asia Student Association. It is well known that a crucial aspect of the cultures represented in these and other clubs is the traditional food associated with each respective culture. In fact, when we think of a specific culture, one of the first things that may come to mind is the traditional food that represents that culture. Cultural food is often rooted in stories of rising up against oppression, preserving customs in the face of a changing society, and other such stories that hold great value for different groups of people.
Having this understanding of the significance that traditional foods hold, I was absolutely astonished to learn of an alleged contract and specific regulations that could potentially undermine the autonomy of clubs in regard to the food they are allowed to serve at events associated with the university. I am speaking of a purported contract between Andrews University and Bon Appétit Management Company, the catering service that Andrews uses. I reached out to multiple administrators of the university, trying to obtain access to the contract documents in order to accurately represent its contents. However, I was met with statements from some saying that they were not at liberty to speak on the matter and no response from others. From what I have gathered in conversations with student leaders, however, this regulation would mean that any and every club event that is on campus and/or hosted by Andrews University must be catered by Bon Appétit. The implications of a regulation like this are deserving of a serious conversation. To get a better understanding of how this may affect our cultural clubs, I reached out to the presidents of Andrews’ two largest student cultural organizations to hear their thoughts on the matter.
Jaden Leiterman, president of the Andrews Filipino International Association, (junior, medical laboratory sciences) says:
“Well, in partnering and having to go through Bon Appétit in the past, the news is a little disheartening as a club leader and member. Food and how we share it with one another is such a large portion of our culture. To be transparent, it is a main reason why many of our members join our club. In the past, when they catered food for our events, it did not meet the standards of what was expected. AFIA emphasizes community and we have aunties from the FilAm church that help to cook and provide home-cooked Filipino food that many people crave after coming from eating food from Bon Appétit for every meal. It for sure throws off many of our events with finding ways to think outside the box to still meet expectations.”
Jennifer Jean, president of the Black Student Christian Forum, (junior, medical laboratory sciences) responds:
“My thoughts on this regulation are that I think it’s quite unfair to have a restriction preventing us from making food from our culture. Every time the cafe attempts to make cultural food, they do not make it correctly whatsoever. My club, the Black Student Christian Forum, should be able to share and teach students about our food and our culture without having to be regulated.”
It is clear that with a regulation like this, the autonomy of cultural clubs could be incredibly diminished. Food and the sharing of food are often profoundly related to what it means to belong to a certain culture. This sparks issues surrounding the concepts of cultural identity and belonging. If students are unable to make and partake of authentically-made foods—foods that for many hold deep cultural value—what does this say about the university’s efforts to create a space where cultural connections are supposedly encouraged?
An official statement on the policy from Bon Appétit Management Company should be available to the student body in the near future. Stay tuned for updates.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.