Student Low On Dining Dollars Knows What Poverty Must Feel Like

As the quarter comes to a halt, many students were forced to confront the reality of their economic standing in their residential meal plans.

Medill sophomore Kelly Clarke remarks, “It didn’t hit me that I don’t have any more dining dollars until I couldn’t partake in Frontera Fridays this week. I pay full tuition and I’ve never considered myself poor before, but this has to be what poverty feels like, right?”

Clarke’s newfound lack of dining dollars has given her a new outlook on life. “Growing up, I used to think that poverty, food stamps, welfare programs and stuff like that were just on the news, you know.” Even though Clarke still ubers from south to north campus frequently, and spent her spring break in 6 different European countries, she claims, “I totally know how it feels to be poor.”

Weinberg senior Ben Elliot shares similar sentiments about his recent lack of dining dollars. Elliot shares, “It sucks that I can’t enjoy a LaCroix with every meal anymore. I guess I could save $600 by walking for five minutes to Cheesie’s instead of ordering it on Postmates. This weekend, my fraternity brothers and I are hosting a philanthropy event so I can still afford to go on Ski Trip, since I’m basically poor now.”

Clarke and Elliot were last seen telling low-income students in their classes that “we’re basically the same,” and asking, “can you help me fill out the FAFSA?”