McDonald's in Read to leave campus next year

On a weekday at 10:45 p.m., freshmen Kelsey Marfilius, Emily Tiemann and Molly Howes sit in the Read Center lounge completing homework and eating McDonald's. \nBut next year, the McDonald's in Read in the southeast neighborhood will no longer be a staple on campus. With its contract ending in May, Residential Programs and Services, along with the meal-plan committee, have decided to find a different option for the location, said Sandra Fowler, director of dining services at RPS.\n"It is just so convenient -- it is downstairs and it is fast," said Howes, a resident at Read. "I mean look, it is right here," she said, motioning to the McDonald's in front of her.\nMarfilius said she would feel different -- literally -- if McDonald's left.\n"When you eat it late night, you put on the pounds," she said. "I would be a happier, lighter person if McDonald's did not exist."\nFowler said there is an ongoing process to figure out what would be the best food choice to replace McDonald's.\n"We have been experimenting with different food items at Read for the past month, and we have surveyed the southeast neighborhood to see what people view as most popular," Fowler said.\nThe survey RPS e-mailed earlier in the week had three food options: a breakfast restaurant called IUHop, similar to IHOP; an Italian restaurant called Pasta Works; and a Mexican restaurant called Ole'.\n"I like the IUHop -- having breakfast anytime would be nice," Tiemann said. "I know that Italian and Mexican food doesn't always sound good to me. I can't imagine anyone wanting Mexican at 10 a.m."\nMarfilius agreed, saying IUHop was the most appealing from the survey she received from RPS via e-mail.\n"I like to have breakfast. If you wake up late, I know I am always up for breakfast," she said. "McDonald's closes their breakfast at a certain time, so I support the decision for McDonald's to leave."\nFowler said meal points will still be accepted at the new venue, and the hours will be similar to McDonald's, which is open until 1 a.m. every day. \n"As long as we can still use meal points, I don't care if McDonald's leaves," freshman Diamond Fowler said.\nSenior Brian Blume lived in Forest Quad his freshman year and said he used to visit McDonald's from time to time. Still, he said, it would be great if McDonald's did leave.\n"Something that is healthier, like Subway, would be great to have there," Blume said. "When I was a freshman it was convenient to go and spend meal points." \nFreshman Briana Tarby said a healthy choice would be a great alternative, but, like most students, she wants to be sure meal points will still be accepted.\n"Sometimes it is difficult to spend meal points, so having an extra option is always helpful," she said. "It is especially nice if you need a late or quick dinner -- it's easy."\nSophomore Ashley Street said she wouldn't mind having a venue similar to IHOP, but she would be mad if another venue, such as the Mexican option, was chosen.\n"You can just go to Foster if you want Mexican food," she said. "If they pick something else, they may as well keep McDonald's."\nRPS's survey is available online at www.rps.indiana.edu/diningsurvey.cfml and will be available until Tuesday, Feb. 13.