University Business - October 2009 - (Page 42)

UB Dining Halls of Distinction Runners-Up Every six months, Babson dining staff go through a training that teaches them how to “wow” their guests. Managers can regularly be found sitting in the student dining area at Gettysburg to solicit comments. Gettysburg College (Pa.) Dining provider: None AT THE DINING CENTER, STUDENTS CAN MAKE THEIR OWN sandwiches and press their own paninis—and even serve as guest chefs at the “eggs to order” station. Vegetarians and vegans help themselves from a fridge ﬁlled with deli protein items. And students run an on-campus organic garden for greens and herbs used in the facility. Among the many theme dinners, a Thanksgiving feast served family style by faculty and staff is most popular. The “Spoil ’em Long Distance” program offers delivery of birthday cakes, cookies, and seasonal baskets and makes about 700 deliveries on campus annually. Babson College (Mass.) Dining provider: Sodexo STUDENTS CAN ORDER FROM TRIM DINING HALL’S MENUS VIA a touch-screen ordering system. The student body is 20 percent international, hailing from 64 countries, so ethnic cuisines are incorporated into the menus. A self-service spice and condiment area allows guests to add extra ﬂavor. During a monthly meeting with admissions staff, the dining operations manager discusses new offerings that tour guides can highlight. The dining team’s ﬂexibility got tested during a recent norovirus outbreak on the small, suburban campus. Bagged lunches and dinners were provided through retail café areas to help limit the spread of the virus while staff cleaned the entire campus vigorously. Elon University (N.C.) Dining provider: Aramark HIGHLIGHTS: COLONNADES DINING HALL HAS THREE DISTINCT dining areas so students can change up their dining experience. Efforts to increase cost efﬁciency include making more items from scratch, which also allows for better quality and variety. The Elon Dining Services Facebook page allows current students to get updates on specials and promotions, and posted photos give prospective students a closer look at campus dining venues. Vibrant colors, lighting, and a variety of seating add to the Lehigh dining atmosphere. Lehigh University (Pa.) Dining provider: Sodexo HIGHLIGHTS: RATHBONE, THE LARGEST OF THREE MAIN DINING facilities, underwent a $1.5 million renovation in 2005 that updated its look to that of a restaurant. A variety of seating options include a side room seating 80 that has a 60-inch ﬂat-screen TV. Dining Services meets regularly with student groups to help in decision making and partners with admissions staff to ensure that dining facilities are assisting them in attracting prospective students. Brown & Co. is another campus dining option for Elon students.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of University Business - October 2009

University Business - October 2009
Contents
Editor's Note
College Index
Company Index
Advisory Board
Behind the News
Viewpoint
Financial Aid
Lessons in Video
Dining Halls of Distinction
Lost in Space
Independent Outlook
Internet Tech
End Note

University Business - October 2009