Students at Colgate University are raising concerns about key aspects of daily life on campus, pointing to the high cost and poor function of laundry facilities as well as challenges in finding satisfying vegetarian meals. These practical issues highlight broader questions about affordability and inclusivity in student services.
Many Colgate students report that the campus is struggling with an unpleasant odor they associate with the university’s expensive and often unreliable laundry machines. With each laundry load costing $1.70 to wash and another $1.70 to dry, students say the expenses add up quickly—especially when machines fail to clean clothes properly or require multiple cycles. Some students note that even after running multiple loads, clothes still have an odor or remain damp, and the smaller capacity of washers forces them to split laundry into several costly loads. There have also been complaints about shortened dryer cycles and machines shutting off early, leading to added fees.
These issues have pushed wealthier students to seek laundry services off campus or even to purchase new clothing rather than face repeated laundry frustrations. Meanwhile, students who cannot afford these options say they feel ostracized, adding a layer of inequality to campus life. One student admitted to washing clothes twice to no avail and shared concerns about being identified because of persistent odors. Attempts to ease the burden by slightly reducing washing costs have only led to even shorter and less effective wash cycles, students say, worsening the problem overall.
The burden on students does not end with laundry. For those maintaining vegetarian or vegan diets, finding healthy and varied options at campus dining halls can be a challenge. Many report initially relying on basic choices like pizza and fries due to a lack of convenient and satisfying plant-based meals. However, some students have discovered creative solutions. Weekly events such as “Chili with Lily” at Chapel House, which serves homemade vegan chili, have become a highlight for vegetarian students. Marked preferences also include the Frank Dining Hall’s omelet station with plant-based options, the 13 Street Deli’s tofu sandwiches, and the library’s Hieber Café for ready-to-go vegetarian meals.
Despite these options, students acknowledge that eating a balanced vegetarian diet at Colgate requires effort and careful planning, as many convenient meals remain limited to cheese pizza, pasta, or fries. Facilities that provide more diversity, such as vegan desserts or plant-based meat substitutes, are welcomed but remain occasional rather than everyday features. The ongoing conversation about meal options and affordable, functional laundry reflects a broader student call for campus services that promote well-being, health, and inclusion for all.
Read More