The Bengal Staff

In August Idaho State University and catering partner Chartwells Higher Education announced that fast-food chain Chick-fil-A would open on the Pocatello campus in Fall 2021.

Chick-fil-A was slated to replace Mandalay Express in the Pond Student Union Building. Chartwells announced the addition of Chick-fil-A alongside the announcement that the university and Chartwells had extended their contract and Chartwells will add a Starbucks to the Pocatello campus in 2022.

According to President Kevin Satterlee, “The decision to have a Chick-fil-A location on our campus was made based on input and feedback from our campus community, primarily our students.”

“This was the foodservice option that students wanted, and the entire purpose and mission of our food service operation is to enhance the student experience,” said Satterlee. “I was told unequivocally that the number one and number two things demanded by our students through surveys, studies and listening sessions was Chick-fil-A and Starbucks.”

However, the announcement to bring Chick-fil-A was not without controversy.

Chick-fil-A has a history of supporting anti-LGBTQ organizations, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and the Salvation Army. In 2019 Chick-fil-A announced they would stop donating to the FCA and Salvation Army, and instead start donating to charities that addressed education, homelessness and hunger. However, Chick-fil-A has not explicitly promised to bar donating to anti-LGBTQ organizations again—including the FCA and Salvation Army.

Many LGBTQ advocates have also argued that Chick-fil-A has not done enough to protect LGBTQ individuals in the workplace. 

Chick-fil-A CEO Don Cathy has been criticized for his stance towards same-sex marriage. In 2012 Cathy was quoted saying, “I think we are inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say, ‘We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage.’” Cathy has personally donated money to organizations that fought against same-sex marriage and organizations that provide conversion therapy. 

In 2014 Cathy told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he regrets getting involved in the debate on same-sex marriage, but he did not apologize for his comments. “I think the time of truths and principles are captured and codified in God’s word and I’m just personally committed to that,” said Cathy. “I know others feel very different from that and I respect their opinion and I hope that they would be respectful of mine. I think that’s a political debate that’s going to rage on. And the wiser thing for us to do is to stay focused on customer service.”

Most poignant to many students today is the anti-LGBTQ history that Chick-fil-A will be bringing to the Idaho State campus in Fall 2021.

“I am personally really hurt because the thing that bothers me the most is not real ignorance,” said Rowan Smith. “Nobody in charge of putting Chick-fil-A on campus can pretend they were not aware of Chick-fil-A’s anti-LGBTQ history; I am somewhat annoyed with the fact that they’re going through with it when they had prior knowledge.” Smith is the lead coordinator with the LGBTQ student group Lambda Qi at Idaho State.

ASISU Graduate Studies Senator and Former ASISU President Camdon Kay did not know that Chick-fil-A was coming to campus until a meeting with the ASISU Senate. But when the ASISU Senate was made aware that Chick-fil-A was coming to campus, many senators were immediately concerned about the impact Chick-fil-A would have on perception towards the university and the impact it may cause to students on campus.

“Although it may have been student selected, [Idaho State] did not consult with the right groups on campus,” said Kay. “And [Idaho State] did it without concern for the student that would be negatively affected by their presence on campus.” 

Kay and others at ASISU are writing a resolution that condemns the University, effectively stating, “the choice to bring Chick-fil-A to campus was done without appropriately consulting with students and affected groups.” Kay predicts that the resolution will be passed by the ASISU Senate with ease. 

“We are working hard as a Senate to make sure that student voices on campus are heard,” said Kay. “We are trying to defend those that can’t speak up for themselves right now with the administration. I wish the administration would be more cognizant of student needs.”

University administrators have brought studies to ASISU which claim bringing Chick-fil-A to campus will help with recruitment and enrollment retention. Claims which are true. Studies have shown that having dining options that appeal to students can increase enrollment at universities. And there are many students that welcome the addition to campus dining options, citing that the nearest Chick-fil-A is in Ammon, ID.

“I’m excited for Chick-fil-A to come next year,” said Idaho State first-year student Wyatt Hamilton. “It will be nice to not have to drive such a far distance to get [Chick-fil-A] in the coming year.”

Even if the ASISU Senate passes the resolution condemning the University for bringing Chick-fil-A to campus, it is unlikely that the university will change course, especially since a five-year agreement was already made with Chick-fil-A.

“I understand and respect the reasoning behind why people are opposed to this decision. I do not defend Chick-fil-A or their political decisions, especially those related to anti-LGBTQ actions. Their past decisions weighed on my mind when I made the decision, but choosing a food service option is not meant as an endorsement of anyone’s political or social views,” said Satterlee. “We will continue our efforts to ensure that we have an inclusive campus. We will continue to be supportive of our LGBTQ students, faculty and staff, and of everyone in our community. That inclusivity, that support and that acceptance are all critically important to Idaho State University.”