Lottie Bookbag Debacle

Before college officially began, the 'No Bookbags in Lottie' policy was introduced to Messiah students through a mass email. Only days later the ban was lifted, due to students' objections, but many questions were left unanswered. Perhaps the most important question is: why the ban on bookbags?The email says that space was a concern, but most Messiah students, along with the "New No Bookbags in Lottie Policy" facebook group, believe that the real reasoning behind the policy is to cut down on stolen food. This suspicion is bolstered by the anti-theft signs in front of Lottie.

The Director of Dining Services, Mark Wirtz, says that there were actually three concerns addressed in the bookbag ban. The clutter of bags does cause accidents and presents a genuine safety hazard. Another concern is sanitation: large bags and equipment being dragged into any restaurant is not an ideal situation.

The final issue is indeed theft. "Lottie is created to be an 'all you can eat' facility in the facility," he says. "When students take food out for other meals, that will be reflected in the meal price."

This isn't to say that no food can be taken out of Lottie. Ice cream cones that are being eaten while exiting and the 'bagel rush' before chapel are instances that Mr. Wirtz is aware of and that Lottie can support.

As of now, there is no plan to address the theft issue, but Dining Services may not have to come up with a new policy on their own. Thanks to a thread started by Cody Miller on the "New No Bookbags in Lottie Policy" group, students are taking it upon themselves to offer solutions to the problem. Although a practical resolution has yet to be reached, the dialogue has been polite and extremely becoming of Messiah students.

Ory Bower, the listed leader on the Facebook group, says that he and his friends started the group to make the policy known to the students and give them "ample time to voice their concerns and opinions to Dining Services in a timely, respectful manner."

The policy would require students who did bring their bookbags to leave them against the walls before entering Lottie, something most students are uncomfortable with. The Dining Offices knew that theft would be "an up-front concern", but had also witnessed bags left unattended outside of the Oakes Museum or classrooms.

Another concern of students is the sheer volume of bags outside of Lottie. Ory Bower calls the pile-up that would result "a potential mountain" that would not only cause students to be late for class, but could also result in damages by frantic searching.

Although the policy has been rescinded without any alternate, Mr. Wirtz is grateful for the Facebook groups that are promoting the issues in Lottie. "I appreciated their feedback," he said. "I have received some that has been inappropriate, but I also received a lot of positive comments." He encourages students who still have questions to leave a comment for the Dining Offices.

As to the space concern, a feasibility study is being conducted for future renovations of Lottie. Until then, keeping bags under the table will reduce the clutter.