Among the things praised by MU students when it comes to canteens are portion sizes and quality. On the other hand, prices are among the most quoted reasons for not eating at MU canteens, as the survey conducted in November showed.
In it, 3,878 students and 759 employees took part, which represents approximately 10 percent of the entire university. “The result of the anonymous survey shows that students care about prices, regardless of the frequency of their visits, or no visits at all for that matter. They praised quality, portion sizes and staff. As for possible changes in the operation of canteens, they supported the reduction of daily menus to four, in order to ensure affordable prices, or the possible reduction of the operating hours of canteens in order to reduce losses,” member of the Student Chamber of the Academic Senate Tomáš Vojtíšek said.
Five dishes a day
Due to the economic challenges associated with the operation of the canteens SKM will reduce, as of March 2024, the daily offer of “menus”, in order to ensure more affordable prices. The measure consists in the introduction of two “menus” (soup + main dish) for CZK 85, plus three other items including vegetarian and vegan dishes.
The two “menus” priced at CZK 85 will be the same at all canteens. “There will be just one kind of soup, considering the alternatives students have. Also included in the menu will be the main dish, of which there will be two options – one with meat and one for vegetarians and vegans,” says Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and External Relations Jana Fialová.
There will be five dishes on a daily basis. “In addition to the two affordable options there will be two other dishes, including one with meat (e.g. goulash or sirloin) and one alternative option reflecting modern-day diet requirements. The fifth option is a “bistro dish” (in Czech, minutka) – the long-term star of student dining, fried cheese with French fries. Canteens will still offer salads, fruit, desserts and beverages. Special gastronomy events throughout the year will continue, but only as part of the planned menus with five dishes (pumpkin dishes, pork feasts, asparagus specials, Valentine’s Day menu, Easter specials or autumn game days),” says SKM director Kamil Kulíšek.
NEW MENUS AT CANTEENS
1. daily menu with meat (soup + main dish) – special price for students at CZK 85
2. vegetarian/vegan daily menu (soup + main dish) – special price for students at CZK 85
3. daily dish (meat option)
4. daily dish (vegan/vegetarian option)
5. bistro dish – fried cheese with French fries
All items, including the more affordable options, will be offered without pre-order, but only while they last (based on the estimated number of portions to be sold). In order to ensure the availability of the item of their choice, students should use the MobilKredit and WebKredit ordering systems. By doing so, they will support the sustainability of canteens and the financial aspect.
Organisational changes
The introduction of the new effective offer of meals and the more affordable menu priced at CZK 85 is linked to the overall restructuring of the operation of canteens which has recently been approved by the management of MU.
“We are responding to the economic results of the recent years. While the number of clients has increased in 2023 compared with the previous year, it was still way lower compared with the situation before the pandemic. Increasing prices and changing habits have played a role. Currently MU canteens only cater to 7 percent of all potential clients from MU, which translates into monthly loss of CZK 4 million,” Kulíšek explained.
Only the kitchen at the Vinařská dormitory will remain in operation, and the meals cooked there will be transported to dining halls in individual dormitories and other facilities. As a result of this measure the Academic canteen at Moravské náměstí will offer optimised services, since as of 1 March its operation will merge with that of Veggie bar on the first floor. “Currently there are three fully staffed kitchens at Moravské náměstí, which is no longer feasible. Our goal is to keep the Veggie bar and the Academic Club operational, with one kitchen team. The changes will not affect our clients in any way, because the seating capacity is sufficient on the first floor,” Kamil Kulíšek explains.
The buffet for MU employees at the Vinařská dormitory will close at the end of this year. “Over the last two-year period they only served 15 portions a day on average. This buffet used to offer breakfast and dinner, but since the hotel has been closed the operation of the buffet has not been feasible. Now MU employees can use the services of the canteen where a section will be reserved for employees,” Kulíšek added.
The Academic Restaurant in the Campus Square mall will close down at the end of June. “Academic Restaurant will close down at the end of August when its lease expires. Its renewal would require enormous expenses, which is no longer feasible considering the operation of our own canteens. Students and employees of the faculties and other entities located in the Bohunice campus can still use the buffet in the campus or the Morfo bar. On top of that the shopping centre offers a variety of restaurants and other establishments in its food court,” Fialová says.
Campus Square Brno units include a baguette shop, salad bar, Mexican restaurant, Indian restaurant (with its lamb specials, among other items), as well as modern European or Asian cuisine and conventional fast-food chains. Specialised restaurants cater to vegans and vegetarians, and small stalls offer products from small local producers and farmers.
Thanks to the new structure of canteens and streamline operations MU expects to see cost savings of CZK 26 million. “The pandemic was a turning point in the economic operation of the canteens, as were the recent energy crisis and the conflict in Ukraine. The restructuring was a work in progress over the last two years, and we are hoping to reduce losses to acceptable levels. But at the same time we want to offer our students decent services because the demand for canteens still exists,” says MU Bursar Marta Valešová.