NEWS | October 7, 2003

Food Services
Survey seeks feedback about food services
Dining Services officials anticipate interesting student responses to the first online questionnaire.

The Shorthorn: Mark Roberts Communication junior Michael Taylor eats dinner Monday in the University Center Connection Café. Aramark, the dining service that operates on the campus, is conducting an online survey that officials may use to help make changes.

By Jessica Smith
The Shorthorn staff

University Dining Services wants to see what improvements students would like them to make — virtually.

Aramark is conducting its first two-week online survey to receive student feedback, Food Services Director Paula Snide, said. Students received an official e-mail describing the research last week.

The company is conducting the survey at every campus it offers dining services, said Wyl Parker, Housing and University Center director. Officials said they have no goal for participation but hope to get a diverse sample of student opinions, including those who don’t use meal plans, Snider said.

Participants can win an American Airlines travel certificate if they indicate they are interested. The certificate is good for one round-trip ticket to anywhere in the continental United States. The winner will be notified by e-mail.

Students participating in the survey are asked questions including where they eat, what they like to eat, what they think of meal services and improvements they think could be made, she said.

Snider said she anticipates some interesting results because of the variety of students that attends.

Parker said once the data is compiled, Aramark could make changes, which may include offering different food. He said there is no timeline for the data to be compiled and for changes to be made.

Dzu Nguyen, a software engineering senior, said he appreciates how the department is trying to improve their student services.

“I like that they are listening to our feedback,” he said.

The survey also asks students to provide feedback on Connection Café services. Nguyen said his would include the need for more space, he said. Nguyen said he remembers shorter lines last year. He eats at the café twice a day.

Undeclared freshman Odin Chang said officials could also make improvements in food quality.

“Sometimes it’s decent, and sometimes they have stuff you could find outside,” he said.

Amy Castillo, a music education freshman who lives on campus, said she likes campus food and being able to eat at the university. She did have one suggestion: “More salt shakers,” she said.

Several students said they like to eat at The Plaza because they aren’t on campus long enough to eat at Connection Café.

Biology sophomore Stephanie Brown and economics senior Carmen Collings both said they eat at The Plaza because of the convenience. They don’t have meal plans. However, Brown said, officials could open more lines to hasten purchases.

“They usually have only one line open,” Brown said.

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