Lower prices and more variety at Palo Alto's cafeteria are two issues that many students believe need to be addressed when a new contract is finalized in the Fall of 1999.

The Alamo Community College District (ACCD) currently has a contract with Delta Food Service (DFS) for three of its four colleges. The initial contract was for three years with the option to extend the contract one year at a time.

DFS's contract with the District is now in its fifth year and has been approved for one final extension which will go through March of the year 2000.

"I think  we should change the meals that the cafeteria sells and make them cheaper," said sophomore Michell Lopez, an Elementary Education major.  "Palo Alto should get some franchise restaurants that sell cheap food, like Burger King or McDonald's."

Palo Alto has considered franchises in the past but shelved  the idea.  According to Leandro Esparza, director of Student Activities and chair of the Auxiliary Enterprise Committee, the campus does not meet space, equipment or volume  requirements for franchises.

Still, many students long for franchise prices. Gina Gonzales, a freshman Physical Education major said: "Prices need to drop and be more reasonable.  It is ridiculous how much I spend on a burger here."

A quarter pound burger without cheese costs $1.85 at Palo Alto's cafeteria.  At Wendy’s, a quarter pound burger with cheese costs 99 cents. At McDonald's, a double cheeseburger sells for  99 cents. At Burger King, a regular cheesburger  costs 99 cents. However, Whataburger's quarter pound burger without cheese sells for $1.99.

The opportunity to choose from a small selection of food is not available to those who attend night classes.  The cafeteria closes at 8:30 p.m. and vending machines or sack lunches are a night student’s only alternatives.

"I would like to have some food like Southwest High School has," said sophomore Michelle Clay, a Nursing major. There, a traditional cafeteria line is available, plus three additional lines, including one exclusively for baked potatoes.

The difference with high schools, Esparza explained, is that the state and federal governments subsidizes  their cafeterias. To assist with formulating a new contract for the District's cafeterias, contact Esparza at 921-5289.