2008 Woodie Awards
GUEST COLUMN: UNCG services - One man's evaluation
Anthony Ridge
Issue date: 12/6/05 Section: Opinions
I am British and my home country (United Kingdom) is like many other European States where university education is nearly, if not fully subsidized by the Government. In other words, I pay nothing for my university tuition. This is compared to most American students whose parents are billed huge sums of money to give their children the university experience. And you not only pay more for tuition but also for accommodation, food and almost double for books!
In Britain, we pay less, yet we have more voice; as we are encouraged to complain. Complaints are taken deadly seriously, by doing so standards are continuously raised and our complaints are met with prompt action.
UNCG is my fifth international institution of study, so I have witnessed a plethora of college environments. Therefore, since arriving at UNCG in August 2005 I have been shocked to witness the most appalling standards and levels of customer service - ever!
A few weeks back I read a guest writer's grievances with UNCG's Caf. As I read I felt total empathy with the writer and realized I was not alone in my disappointment with the sheer lack of customer service at the Caf as well as other UNCG services.
This writer set my mind thinking: Why have I paid for the most expensive "unlimited" meal plan to arrive daily at the Caf to find unappetizing food presentation, measly portions, limited variety, poor hygiene practice, food that all tastes the same, un-stocked eating utensils and servers that grunt and give you the death stare as they hand over a dried-up chicken leg? Not to mention that on most of my visits the staff are so eager to go home, they clear away most of the food 30 minutes before time. And there was the time when the infamous "Outta Here" lady screamed at me because I complained there was an empty fruit basket!
After pondering for a moment, I realized that I decided to eat at the Caf, because when arriving in my suite at Tower Village, I was horrified to see the minute kitchen, with its 1970's appliances displaying the decorative scum and grime reminiscent of the previous occupants. I refused to prepare food in those conditions. So, I was forced to give UNCG more money by increasing my meal plan.
In Britain, we pay less, yet we have more voice; as we are encouraged to complain. Complaints are taken deadly seriously, by doing so standards are continuously raised and our complaints are met with prompt action.
UNCG is my fifth international institution of study, so I have witnessed a plethora of college environments. Therefore, since arriving at UNCG in August 2005 I have been shocked to witness the most appalling standards and levels of customer service - ever!
A few weeks back I read a guest writer's grievances with UNCG's Caf. As I read I felt total empathy with the writer and realized I was not alone in my disappointment with the sheer lack of customer service at the Caf as well as other UNCG services.
This writer set my mind thinking: Why have I paid for the most expensive "unlimited" meal plan to arrive daily at the Caf to find unappetizing food presentation, measly portions, limited variety, poor hygiene practice, food that all tastes the same, un-stocked eating utensils and servers that grunt and give you the death stare as they hand over a dried-up chicken leg? Not to mention that on most of my visits the staff are so eager to go home, they clear away most of the food 30 minutes before time. And there was the time when the infamous "Outta Here" lady screamed at me because I complained there was an empty fruit basket!
After pondering for a moment, I realized that I decided to eat at the Caf, because when arriving in my suite at Tower Village, I was horrified to see the minute kitchen, with its 1970's appliances displaying the decorative scum and grime reminiscent of the previous occupants. I refused to prepare food in those conditions. So, I was forced to give UNCG more money by increasing my meal plan.
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