Rumors circulating around campus that the POD market and all the dining services associated with it will close indefinitely and be replaced by a fully operating Chick-fil-A that would be open to the Scranton public are not true, according to Chick-fil-A.

Students at The University of Scranton came together to create a petition to preserve and “save POD.” With over 630 verified signatures, the rumor circulated, creating tension among students who worried about their favorite dining options being replaced.  

The POD market is located on campus on Mulberry Street next to the on-campus apartments where students have the option to order food such as paninis, chicken wing bites, salads and soups.

The petition titled, “save POD” said that replacing the POD market with a Chick-fil-A will lead to students losing the only place on campus that serves healthy and nutritious food.

“Closing the POD Market at The University of Scranton would mean losing one of the only truly healthy food options on campus—one that students rely on for fresh, nutritious meals in the midst of their demanding schedules,” the petition says.

Chick-fil-A said it is not not opening a new, fully operating restaurant on Mulberry Street and is keeping the original location on first floor DeNaples.

If Chick-fil-A were to replace the POD market, students would have less access to healthier and nutritious food options and would have to rely on more fried and heavily processed food, which is why students and parents alike were nervous of the future of the POD market and shared the petition to friends and family.

Junior Business Communication major Kathleen Naughton said she got word of the petition after her parent shared it to her off a Facebook page and the rumor was reinforced after students started talking about it. Naturally, she took the bait.

“I had only started hearing about Chick-Fil-A being moved from other students around campus, so seeing the petition then, I just assumed it was real, and I signed it. My friends and I talked about the petition because we saw so many people that we knew had already signed it. So, I sent the link to a few of my friends, and they signed it as well,” Naughton said.

Following the rumors of a possible closure, students took to social media to spread the word about the petition. They also made posts on the app Yik Yak and comments on the petition itself. One comment, made by junior environmental science major Cassandra Marenski, read “This is one of my favorite places to grab lunch and dinner on campus. It is also one of the only healthy options provided by the University. It is easier to personalize and accommodate for any allergies or diets unlike many of the other food options provided on campus.”

Many other comments on the petition also cite POD’s inclusive food items for gluten free students, variety in options and price as features that make them love POD.

Although the rumors were unfounded, they revealed a deep desire felt amongst the campus community for accessible healthy food options.

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