Enabling students to use their campus meal options at local Huntington restaurants is the goal of a resolution that pased unanimously last week by the Student Government Association (SGA).

Senator Nico Raffinengo, a sophomore majoring in political science and international business, began researching this resolution after several students approached him about the lack of on-campus food options. The resolution would urge the university to provide more options for students by allowing the use of dining dollars at restaurants outside of campus. C.O.M.E.R., Raffinengo’s resolution, stands for “A Resolution to Continue Opportunities for Marshall by Exchanging with Restaurants in Huntington.”

“Medical Daily did research and found that 59% of college students had food insecurities or some concerns over healthy food options, which leads to malnutrition,” Raffinengo said. 

Several senators had questions about how the student body could be malnourished. 

In response, he said, “I think you’re misunderstanding what malnutrition and starvation mean. Malnutrition just means you’re not getting the right vitamins. So, if you eat Chick-fil-A every day, you’re not going to get the vitamins that you need from other food groups.”

Raffinengo also explained that if this bill were to pass within the senate, it would only be a starting point. 

Raffinengo said, “This resolution is the student body letting President Smith know that they want more meal options for vegans or people that have certain dietary restrictions.” 

Isabella Robinson, senate treasurer, provided clarity on what exactly the resolution says and what it will do.

“I just wanted to bring it to everyone’s attention that this bill is allowing us to look into the options to partner with other companies,” Robinson said. “I think that the bill looks really good and is a great idea, and I would definitely utilize off-campus eating. It just opens the door.” 

Matt James, an advisor for SGA,  said, “This is nothing against my colleagues at Sodexo, but we’re way behind compared to where other universities are at. I had lunch with a colleague today on campus who is vegan, and there was one option.” 

The resolution passed unanimously after discussion, and from there, SGA President Bella Griffiths and Vice President Walker Tatum will present it to University President Brad Smith towards the end of October. 

“He’s very on board with the idea because he is a vegan, and he understands that there aren’t very many options on campus,” Raffinengo said regardng Smith’s opinion on the resolution.