My Opinion Matters!! (Yeah, right)
I've commisioned Ricky Rud to translate select passags of the Bible to ebonics, (Actually, it was his idea.) and the results will be posted on this very blog. I figure that so long as the meaning is retained, it might come out pretty funny, and even make verses stick out better in people's minds. I decided to announce it before the 1st post, so any criticism can be used constructively, or the segment could be cancelled altogether.
So I'm at lunch today in the UDCC, and as I'm debating the merits of the cigarrette tax with some people, the table is interrupted by some middle-aged folks. It turns out that they're from Grinnell U., and they're looking to design a UDCC-esque cafeteria. Apparently, they're also considering the satisfaction of the stuent body in their decision-making. (I never thought a place like Grinnell could be so revolutionary in their approach to the undergraduate student body, they should build an Ames branch.)
I start by noting where they wasted money, ie the high ceiling and decoration, not even to mention the wasted food. Then comes the biggest concern: the lack of walking space. I also mentioned the lack of cross-meal variety (mashed potatos every meal, the spead-out nature of each food station, and the lack of well-advertised menu.
So basically, the high point of my day has been getting to complain about Dining Service, despite how much I need it to live. How sad is that?
Comments
okay, ben, now say three nice things about food service...
Posted by: Autumn | January 19, 2005 10:51 AM
Good! I'm glad you were able to give them "student input" on the dining center. It looks great - big, open, lots of food, plenty of tables. I'm sure the tour they received from Dining Service was made when there were only a few students around, everyone could get lots of whatever they wanted, etc.
Hearing from students might actually hold some weight. UDCC is a great place, as long as you don't want to actually eat quickly. Trying to get in and get out between 11:50 and 12:10 is basically impossible. Previously, in Friley, there was absolutely no problem doing this at all. Regardless of how fancy UDCC is, as a dining service (which theoretically has the goal of feeding lots of students quickly) I consider it a failure, and I hope other schools can receive enough input from the people who have to deal with it daily to avoid making the same mistakes.
Also, what genius decided to put round tray ledges with a nice smooth radiused edge in there? I *never* dropped my dining service tray in Friley or any other dining service, and I had it hit the floor 3 or 4 times last year, just due to it sliding off the counter while I was trying to get food.
-=Russ=-
Posted by: Russ | January 20, 2005 03:33 AM
Sad? No way! If that happened to me, it would make my day. Once in a while I"ll see President Geoffrey in the UDCC, and it's so tempting to just let him know what I think of the building.
Posted by: Heather | January 20, 2005 12:16 PM
I have to disconcur, Russ. I always tried to avoid both dungeons and windows around noon because it was possible to stand in line a half-hour before even GETTING to the food. THEN you had to find a seat. It doesn't matter if they set up troughs, food will never be fast over the lunch hour.
Posted by: Pat | January 20, 2005 03:09 PM