When a long day has passed at Keene State College, many students often make their way to the Zorn Dining Commons to refuel and recharge. However, over the past month of this new semester, there has been a noticeable change in how the dining commons serves its food.
To paint a picture of how it has changed, taking a look at how things were last year could be helpful.
During the 2025-2026 year, the dining commons was noticeably different in the way it served its food. From the portions to the variety of foods it had each day, it was something that a student, like myself, really enjoyed. Every day, I would find myself checking the online site for the Zorn Dining Commons to see what things it would have for the day. Things from orange and General Tso’s chicken, specialty pizzas and dips, pastas and so much more. I was proud to say that I really enjoyed the food it served during that time.
However, when I came back for this semester, I couldn’t help but feel as though something had changed. And over the course of the month, that idea slowly became more and more prominent.
To start with something positive, the Zorn Dining Commons’ new “Test Kitchen” is actually a very interesting idea. Even if I do not find myself liking what is put out every day, I enjoy seeing what interesting things they put out for people to try. Sadly, it is also what reminds me of how it used to do things in previous years.
One of the most major things that has seen a negative change is the food selection, as it truly leaves something to be desired. Every week, it feels as though only one station has something new to offer. Besides that, it’s just the repeat of something you’d find every week.
The grill station serves chicken tenders, burgers or hot dogs with fries. The pizza station (when it is not shut down), serves cheese and pepperoni with a single part dedicated to a specialty pizza. The sandwich station offers nothing new besides its usual, and it returns like clockwork every week.
Another issue that I, along with others, have noticed is the portioning it has begun to use. More specifically, how it is done at the grill station. Last year, you could help yourself to each thing available, but during this semester, everything is portioned into plates. If one plate is not fulfilling enough for you, you have no choice but to grab another. And if you are not hungry enough for an entire new plate, then you have no choice but to take the whole plate and risk wasting it.
And if you can’t make it to the Zorn Dining Commons until later at night, almost everything they are offering is gone. At that point, you would be better off going to the Hoot-N-Scoot for a sandwich or some mac and cheese.
The final noticeable difference when it comes to the Zorn Dining Commons is the quality of the food. People have their opinions on it, but I was actually quite a fan of the food quality last year; I never got sick from it, it tasted well-made and it got me into trying a variety of new foods. But the same can not be said about this year. Various things looked undercooked or burnt, and tasted as such.
I have found myself spending a lot more of my dining dollars in places like the Hoot-N-Scoot, as well as Lloyd’s Marketplace when I get hungry instead of the Zorn Dining Commons. Considering I was so excited to come back to the food after how it was during my first two semesters, I cannot help but feel like my Zorn Dining Commons swipes are not being put to good use.
Michael Ardita can be contacted at
mardita@kscequinox.com
