Student Focus Group Identifies Ultimate Baja Alternatives

Fellow Denisonians,

Yesterday, three different student focus groups met with Sodexo District Marketing Director Kim Bacchetti and Sodexo Regional Marketing Director Ron Ralston to discuss the dining options provided by the Slayter Union Snack Bar. Four questions were addressed to the students: (1.) What brand name food provider would you like to see in the Slayter Union Snack Bar? (2.) When going out to eat, what type of restaurants do you frequent? (3.) What type of food would like to see added to the options in the Slayter Union Snack Bar? (4.) What price would pay for a complete meal at the Slayter Union Snack Bar?

I was able to attend both the 3:00pm and the 7:00pm sessions, and I took notes that I will use to follow up with Dining Services General Manager Becky Macheda. These four questions focused around the idea of bring in a new food provider to the Slayter Union Snack Bar, and suggestions from students ranged from Chick-fil-A to Jamba Juice to Panda Express to Chipotle. The feasibility of these options, though, is unclear at this point in time. As more information becomes available, I would eventually like to hold an open forum in Senate to hear feedback from the student body on various food provider options.

There was also heavy discussion on the availability of health foods, grocery items, and international options available in the Snack Bar; in the open discussion at the end, students were able to bring up general concerns about the quality of ingredients and food preparation. In addition, members of the 7:00pm session were able to convince the marketing team to agree to holding a second set of focus groups in the Spring to address Curtis and Huffman issues specifically. Those sessions will be publicized, and I would encourage anyone interested to become involved in changing the state of dining services on our campus.

Another option for those interested in improving the quality of student dining can look into serving on the DCGA Dining Committee, which will have members appointed in Senate on Tuesday, January 26th. If you would like to continue to be involved in this process, this is a great way to be involved. I would like to have the Dining Committee work closely with Campus Affairs Council and the DCGA Senate to ensure that dining services truly are serving our student body.

Thanks to everyone who helped out with the sessions! With your participation and feedback, I know that the student body can attain the dining services quality that it deserves.

Your Representative,

Eric "Harry" Brisson
DCGA President

For Bullsheet Sophomore Editor Kaitlyn Grissom's perspective on the 7:00pm focus group session, check out her post on the Bullsheet Blog here.