The Inter-Residence Hall Association compiled and approved suggestions to help increase sanitation, hours and food variety at the ISU Dining Halls.

IRHA voted 20-0-1 at its Nov. 15 meeting to send the suggestions to Carol Petersen, manager of food service, and Don Whalen, research analyst for the residence halls. The suggestions were based on data gathered from surveys distributed throughout the residence halls by the IRHA Food Service Committee.

Responses to the surveys indicate that students are concerned about the food quality, including the variety, presentation, health content and temperature of the food.

Students would also like to see more hours of availability. According to the results, 51.4 percent of those surveyed would like extended hours for food service.

Sanitation was also a concern, as respondents requested proper glove usage and cleaner tables and salad bar areas.

Union Drive Association at-large representative Erik Amundson, co-sponsor of the bill, said some of the suggestions may already be implemented in the residence halls.

“I, along with my committee, feel that even though there are things that are being done, overall our constituents aren’t seeing this happen to the full effect,” he said.

Amundson said he felt submitting the report was the best way to convey the suggestions of the constituents to those in charge of food service.

In line with the Department of Residence Master Plan, a new dining center will be built in the UDA area, he said, which will solve many of the problems residents had with the UDA dining center.

If the student suggestions are feasible, Petersen said, the department would be willing to implement the changes. A time frame for the changes would depend on the specific suggestion, she said. “We appreciate any and all suggestions and will give them our full consideration,” Petersen said.

The next IRHA meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday in the Gallery Room of the Memorial Union.