Instagr-antics

Franklin College students have a strong social media presence among the student population, and one Instagram account is putting in the work to make sure everyone has a laugh. 

Sagadaily, a review account of the campus’s Parkhurst Dining food, is just one of the accounts Franklin College students interact with and run.

The premise of sagadaily is to allow the account owner—who wishes to remain anonymous—and the student population to anonymously chime in on the quality of the food that is presented to us. 

Through Instagram stories, edited pictures with daily affirmations (my personal favorite) and just plain old posts, the account always puts a humorous twist on what the student population is complaining about. However, this account is private, so not just anyone can share their thoughts.

There seems to be a common theme around campus. Everyone knows that the Parkhurst food is not the premiere attraction here at Franklin College, but when is school food ever the thing anyone raves over? There always seems to be a complaint about something the staff makes that particular day. That’s why sagadaily exists.

The Franklin interviewed the owner of the account for comment but they chose to remain off the record. Therefore, The Franklin staff has chosen to exclude their responses from this article.

While many of the account’s posts express dissatifaction with the food service, not every student dislikes the meals that Parkhurst provides.

For clarity, I have no gripes with the majority of the food we are served and I always try to be understanding and positive. However, there are some times when I just have to sit back and put my hands up. 

In 2022, multiple students shared pictures in the student-run school community GroupMe chat, “FRANKLITTY,” showing hair in their meals, mold growths on oranges put out for students and pink, raw chicken served directly on plates. Once again, I like to give the benefit of the doubt, but some things are just unacceptable, and for a food providing service, that was unacceptable. As far as I am aware, this has not happened since it was discussed in FRANKLITTY. Shortly after this happened, there was a campus-wide discussion between the Parkhurst staff and the student body over the concerns that were posted in the group chat.

I adore the sagadaily account, and I quite often interact with their content. I think it is a great way for students to engage with each other and have something to laugh about at the end of the day. It builds community and promotes real progress. 

After speaking with some of the Parkhurst staff, I’ve learned they surprisingly enjoy the account because it allows them to see their mistakes, what people like and don’t like and how they can improve. And because the account has gained 179 followers in just five weeks, it has the potential to become one of the ways the students and Parkhurst staff connect despite all the complaints through the years.

However, Parkhurst manageent does not feel the account is beneficial. 

“I appreciate all student feedback, but I wish they [sagadaily] would go down different avenues. I wish that students would feel more comfortable talking to us or submitting comment cards,” said Parkhurst General Manager, Deva Duncan.

Chris Bator, the head chef for Parkhurst, shares the same sentiments.

“I would much rather have a student start to form a relationship with us so they can talk open and freely,” said Bator.

Sagadaily, if you’re reading this, keep it up. However, try to be a bit more understanding. These people come in and work hard every day to provide us with three hot meals a day. Not every meal can be a 10/10. 

After doing a very lengthy and exhausting survey of ten students, here’s what I found: the overwhelming majority of students liked sagadaily, with nine people saying they enjoyed the account.        

“I like it. The idea of someone doing an objective review of a college food court is funny,” junior Garrett Fogle said. “It could be better though, since they got into the memey and snarky area which takes away from what I think makes it funny, which is the professionalism.”

However, there was one student that did not like sagadaily as much as her peers.

“I dislike the account because I feel it makes people focus on the negative things about Franklin College,” junior Ashley Summers said. “Even though it is important to recognize the quality and service of food, the criticism is quite harsh.”

After considering every side of this enthralling discussion, I think sagadaily is  a great way for the whole campus to come together and connect through humor, even if that humor can sometimes be harsh. This account is helping to build unity and community through the whole campus, which can only serve to benefit everyone.