CLARION, PA., March 4 – An e-mail was recently sent out to students on behalf of Eagle Commons, Gemmell Food Court and the Carlson Library with a survey asking for student input.
The survey is designed to get students’ opinions on food service as the university begins work on making updates for the upcoming year’s meal plans.

“As we begin to develop future plans for the dining program, we would like to get your thoughts on the dining services Clarion has to offer and get a sense of what type of national brands interest you,” the e-mail reports.

Clarion’s food services are presently provided by Chartwell’s.  All three areas are catered by Chartwell’s, and is also working in conjunction with the Starbucks in the ground floor of Eagle Commons.
In addition to the survey and a request for feedback, the e-mail also offers incentive.

Those who take the survey can complete an information page, which enters them into a raffle for $100 worth of  Chartwell’s Dollars, which can be used anywhere on campus.
“We’re always trying to look ahead,” said Jeff Gauger of food services. “We’re trying to see what we’re doing in the future.  We’re trying to stay ahead of the competition.”
Gauger said he hopes that the survey will allow the food services to stay on top of new trends.

Reception so far is difficult to gauge, said Gauger, as a third party is handling the survey itself.  Gauger said that so far, the students who he has talked to have given him positive responses.  Gauger said, “We’re not going to start building right away, but we want to see what people want and what they’ll pay for.”

The survey asks questions such as if students would prefer certain name brands over generic products, and how it would affect eating habits.

It also asks questions about housing, years of schooling, favorite and least favorite places to eat on campus, time of meals and how much money goes into meals.
At the end of the survey there’s an opportunity for additional comments.

Nathan Yost, a junior accounting major at Clarion University, said he feels mostly positive about the way things are presently with food services.

“I think it’s OK.  It’s not the best, but it gets the job done.  It’s a lot better than Chandler; that was the worst.” Yost said, “I like the Budget Bites at Gemmell.

“They’re good and cheap,” said Yost. “That’s what’s important, really.”

He also pointed out that Eagle Commons, especially the Italian food menu, has provided students with  a more varied and enjoyable diet than what would have been available to them at Chandler Dining Hall in the past.

Yost said that he does not presently plan on filling out the survey sent in the e-mail, as he feels it is a waste of his time.
“They don’t read those things,” said Yost.

Jonathan Winkler, a senior communication major at Clarion University, also voiced his views on the present food service.
“I think it’s good. It’s a lot better than it used to be,” said Winkler.

He had also commented on the additions and improvements that the university has made to dining services on campus since the opening of Eagle Commons during the start of the Spring 2009 semester of last year.

“I like the Mongolian Grill,” said Winkler.  “I think its so good.”

Winkler also commended the dining services on the improved conditions of the salad bar at Eagle Commons.  Winkler agreed with Yost, also stating that he also does not plan to fill out the survey sent out either.

“I just don’t feel like it.” Students who want to take the survey and enter the raffle, as well as share their opinions and concerns about dining services, can  visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/clariondining to have their voice heard.