For ages, the food in Harvard's dining halls has been the subject of constant student jokes.

But in the past couple of weeks, Harvard students and administrators seem to have started giving more serious attention to Harvard Dining Services.

When Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III attended a panel discussion on student life during Junior Parents Weekend, he said he was surprised at the extent of student dissatisfaction with the dining service.

Last Sunday, when President Derek C. Bok attended the Undergraduate Council meeting, several members asked him about the possibilities for making changes in the current meal plan.

And the next day, members of the council met with dining services representatives to discuss student complaints about Harvard's food.

Based on the junior parents' panel discussion, Epps said he would seek ways to meet student demands for an improved meal system by reinstating the House Food Committees--groups of under-graduates who regularly discuss student concerns with dining services representatives.

But many students complain that Harvard's dining service has perennial problems which further discussion may never address.

They complain about small servings, "illegal combinations," and the long lines for mediocre quality food. They complain about missing lunch or dinner hours for classes or other commitments. They complain that the 12 houses and Union all offer the same food each day and that the menus lack variety.

And they complain that, compared to the other Ivy League schools, Harvard's food service just doesn't stack up.

What We've Got

Harvard's meal plan is fairly simple: every undergraduate living on campus must purchase a 21-meal-per-week plan. This year's plan cost $2275. According to officials, this figure is based on the estimate that the average student will eat approximately 14 of 21 weekly meals.

Using the money students pay for board, Harvard Dining Services' nearly 600 employees serve the 13 Houses and the Freshman Union--this year with a budget of $17,822,200.

Assistant Director of Dining Services Dale M. Hennessey says the department's mission is "to provide high quality food and courteous service in a pleasant atmosphere to the end that all we serve obtain maximum satisfaction from our service."

"Students are the most important people in our business," says Hennessey. "We wouldn't be here if you weren't."

According to Hennessey, the dining service has established a variety of ways to get outside input on Harvard's food. A visiting committee of Harvard's Board of Overseers eats in the dining halls about once a month and provides suggestions. The department also tries to respond to comments made by students to the servers and managers in the dining halls.