About 100 North Carolina Central U. students staged a sit-in to protest the cafeteria food Feb. 15 and successfully demanded an audience with management.
Students said the food was of poor quality. They also complained about what they called inadequate customer service and unsanitary conditions in NCCU's W.G. Pearson Cafeteria.
Agu Onuma, vice president of the Student Government Association, said "the quality of food and efficiency of staff has been an injustice to students. Service should be better."
When the students met with Lawrence Lisborg, cafeteria general manager, they raised concerns about the cafeteria's lack of variety, food quality and sanitation.
On Dec. 12, Durham Health Department inspectors gave the cafeteria a score of 90 percent, an A minus.
The department randomly inspects restaurants and school cafeterias four times a year. The highest possible score is 101. If a score drops below 70 percent, the facility can be closed.
A four-year history of inspection scores at Pearson provided by the Durham County Health Department shows that the cafeteria received its lowest average score — a 90 —in 2005. This compares with an average of 95.5 in 2004, 93.5 in 2003 and 96 in 2002.
"A 90 isn't bad. It's an A," said Marvin Hobbs, an environmental health specialist with the Durham County Health Department.
Students also said they wanted a greater selection, including seafood, steak and fresher vegetables.
"Black people suffer greatly from heart disease and stroke," said Portia Woodson, a sophomore in nursing. "Why are we served burgers and french fries every day, instead of healthier alternatives?"
Onuma, the front man of the cafeteria sit-in, said if conditions did not change, the SGA senate would organize a cafeteria boycott.
He said he was using the sit-in as a platform to begin protesting other issues on campus. "Change starts at home," he said
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