In Be Your Own Architect by Gene B. Williams, he writes "As often mentioned in the last chapter, the kitchen is often considered to be the most important room in the house[...] in many homes the kitchen is where the family gathers together most often." (76) In university accommodation the kitchen has become something completely different. Granted, people still eat and prepare their meals in there but they are used more often for far more 'studenty' purposes.
Yesterday I walked into my kitchen (which I share with 25 other people) to find a first year student crouched in the corner covered in ketchup, a sullen expression strewn across his drunken face. Over the walls there was finely spread mayonnaise, half empty vodka bottles piled up on the table next to mouldy cheese and egg shells.
University kitchens, my one in particular, has become more of a social space, not one to share a family meal and have a nice discussion, but rather a grizzly, messy common room.
Food gets forgotten. I could be being a touch dramatic but I can't see any reason not to suggest that there must be a link between student's poor nutrition and their kitchen spaces. Once in a blue moon I will see someone walking down the corridor with a large bowl of delicious steaming pasta or a juicy steak, however firstly they always eat in their rooms, as if they are being protective of their tasty food, secondly after spending a rather large amount of time in that kitchen it takes at least a week before they have plucked up enough courage to re-enter it and cook again. The bar, cafes and even the library become places to eat just to avoid the kitchen.
Perhaps if students were given better facilities student food wouldn't be an issue at all, or maybe again I might be just a little over-dramatic.