Appearances vs. Reality: RPS Food Culture

In a school that is militantly tolerant, it's pretty ironic how Rutgers Preparatory shits on culture's food traditions.  Like all things at Rutgers Prep, the food is defined by its appearance; the workers in their nice clean uniforms, all the "local grown" and organic labels, the sterile appearance of the cafeteria, environmental reform effort, and a wise name like "Sage"  would all leave one to believe that the RPS is quite impressive. If you try eating the food, the illusion created by Rutgers Preparatory School will be shattered forever. It's like taking the red pill in "The Matrix."

With unpalatable food items (if it can be called food) being served daily, how does RPS keep up the illusion? The school uses the dining commons for the annual phonation, the Middle States Accreditation Team banquet, and recently the "Dedication of the Learning Commons" celebration. These three events have two things in common: only parents and teachers are allowed, and the food is actually quite good. In order to continue serving sub-mediocre food on a daily basis to students, the school needs to keep the parents impressed. This causes disbelief when a student expresses dissatisfaction to the parent: "Oh the food can't be that bad... I had Ahi-tuna and pulled pork sliders at the phonation. You're just being picky. Back in my day..." and the school's genius plot succeeds! This practice is similar  to what many colleges do for "parents' weekend."

We are a very culturally diverse school; we have students from five continents and all different religious and ethnic backgrounds. It appears that the school caters food to a global community, and this notion is actually part of the schools marketing strategy. Further inspection will lead to disgust. As a proud NJ native, I consider myself an honorary Italian, and I am appalled by the pasta and the pizza. There is enough oil dripping off of it to power a lamp and so much garlic you will fend of friends and vampires alike. As a Jew, I cried when I tried their humus. For Chinese New Year last year, Sage made a big spiel about making "moon cakes" and how much effort went into making them. Upon seeing them, one Chinese student remarked "what is this?", so I don't think these were moon cakes.

This obsession with appearances is seen throughout the day-to-day of Rutgers Preparatory School. There is always a such pressure on students to make open houses run perfectly. God forbid we sit in our own lounges after school. Also, when Mrs. Klipstein walks by a classroom with visitors, she checks to make sure that the students are behaving like angels before bringing the strangers in. Unlike the food, there is some substance to Rutgers Prep. All we can do is hope that the food will eventually follow suit.