Oxnard College students eagerly expecting a meal went hungry Nov. 2 when they found an empty and locked cafeteria instead.

Student Art Flores counts on the cafeteria for a quick bite between class and sports practice, but was stuck last week when the cafeteria was closed.

“I was disappointed,” said Flores,18, an education major. “I work hard in class and have a busy schedule. This is the only time I can get a meal.”

The closing Thursday was the fourth lunch-time closure in as many weeks. Cafeteria managers have cited reasons including illnesses, loss of keys and staff shortage.

“Due to the increase of transitions of our managers, we were unable to cope with the demands that are expected of us from our students and faculty members,” said Liway Tores, O.C. Food Service Specialist.

Cafeteria services were briefly suspended at all three campuses after a state funding cut sparked drastic budget reduction measures in May 2004. But the cafeterias were reopened before the fall 2004 semester began.

Last year, changes were made to improve the revenue. In January, the Integrated Support Solution Corp. (ISSI) was hired by the VCCCD to provide consultant management for Oxnard Ventura and Moorpark cafeterias, Tores said. Manager Brian McArthur is currently assigned to manage Oxnard and Ventura Colleges’ cafeteria.

“The goal of (ISSI) is to unify the three campuses, making the prices, quality of food and services consistent” said McArthur. “My goals for the OC cafeteria is to clean up the slate internally and move from there with the confidence of the students.”

The change of management, together with Tores’ experience is expected to improve the cafeteria offerings and popularity on campus. “We want to be a successful home for the students,” McArthur said. “We are aiming for a big change. Our goals are to provide fresher foods, lunch specials for a low price, and later operational timing to better accommodate the students attending the evening classes.”

For Flores, those changes would go a long way toward helping her withher busy schedule. “It is truly an inconvenience that the cafeteria is closed in the evenings,” she said. “That is the time I attend my classes.”

For more information or comments and suggestions, please call Liway Torres at (805) 986-5802.