Students returning from the August holidays probably have seen the sign on the cafeteria door, informing them that the caf will close at 4.30pm every day. And those wanting hot food will have to pay the higher prices in the restaurant — from 60c for plain fried rice to $1.40 for porterhouse steak The reason? Because during the first six months of this year, an overall loss of $20,754 has been recorded on student meals.

Consequently in the third term, the ground floor dining room will operate only from 9.45am — 4.30pm Monday to Friday, while the shop will be open from 8.30am to 4.30pm. The middle floor restaurant will cater for those with expensive tastes in hot food from 11.30am to 2.30pm and 4.30 to 6.30pm. The top floor coffee bar will be closed down completely.

According to the Union Management Committee, the measures will have the effect of reducing wages 62% and should bring the operation back to its break even point. If it does not, further drastic measures will be taken.

The main reason for the loss is a 50% decrease in takings. This being the result, of a change in student study and eating habits, students no longer adhering to the "hot meal in the middle of the day" custom. Only 200 hot meals per day are sold by the dining room and restuarant, compared with 800 in 1972. This has made evening and weekend services uneconomic.

The Management Committee regrets the changes, but have concluded that students no longer require the range of services previously offered.

However students will have the opportunity of disagreeing with the committee's decisions. A forum to discuss the catering situation and possible solutions to the problems will be held by the Students' Association early this term.