Student Reporting Project Seeks Input on University Meal Plans Through Survey

A student in a reporting class at East Tennessee State University is turning to her peers for insight as part of an enterprise story focused on campus meal plans. 

The project, led by student journalist Reagan Harris, centers on a student survey designed to better understand how ETSU students feel about their meal plan options. Rather than relying solely on anecdotal feedback, Harris said the goal is to gather measurable data that reflects student experiences across campus. 

“I was inspired to do the survey because I was curious about what other students thought about their meal plans,” Harris said. “I’m moving off campus next year and have been thinking about what meal plan to get, if I get one, and thought it might be cool to hear what other students are saying.” 

The survey is a key component of a larger enterprise reporting assignment, where students are tasked with exploring in-depth issues affecting the campus community. Harris’ project focuses on both the value and satisfaction of meal plans, as well as whether students plan to continue purchasing them. 

Unlike traditional man-on-the-street interviews, the survey allows for broader participation and more comprehensive data collection. It includes questions about whether students currently have a meal plan, whether they intend to purchase one in the future and how they feel about the quality and cost of campus dining options. 

“The survey is there to provide context,” Harris said. “It has stats like what percentage of students are re-buying meal plans, what percentage of students are happy with the quality of their meal plans, and there’s spots for students to share their overall thoughts on the plans.” 

Harris said the use of data will strengthen the final story by providing clear, quantifiable trends rather than general statements. For example, instead of broadly suggesting dissatisfaction, the results could reveal specific patterns in student behavior. 

“I think the stats are really good to have because instead of just saying, ‘many students don’t plan on buying another meal plan,’ I can say, ‘65% of ETSU students will not be purchasing a meal plan for the following school year,’” Harris said. 

The reporting project reflects a growing emphasis on data-driven journalism in student media, where surveys and audience engagement play a larger role in storytelling. By encouraging participation, Harris and her classmates aim to ensure their reporting accurately represents the student body. 

Students involved in the project are actively promoting the survey across campus and online, urging their peers to contribute. The more responses collected, Harris said, the more reliable and meaningful the final results will be. 

Contributed//ETSU

The enterprise story, expected to be published later this year, will use the survey findings alongside interviews and additional reporting to provide a deeper look at how meal plans impact student life at ETSU. 

“This is something that impacts a lot of students,” she said. “The survey gives them a chance to be heard.” 

If you would like to take part in the survey, please visit here.