Dining Services now offers parents and students the opportunity to buy birthday cakes, cupcakes, cookies and candy, fruit and snack gift baskets directly through their website. Orders are delivered to the doors of on-campus residents. After conducting a poll at Lauinger Library, I discerned that few students are aware of the goodies they can purchase.
Most seemed hesitant about the prospect of buying desserts from the cafeteria. In seriousness, I cannot understand why. I doubt that it takes much convincing for most of my fellow students to devour those sugar cookies or that divine chocolate mousse cake on the dessert table.
When asked if she would take advantage of this opportunity, Maura Whelan (CAS ‘05) responded negatively.
“There are so many great bakeries around here with reputable products,” she said. “I think I would really never buy a cake from the dining hall.”
The Surprise Someone gift packet campaign has existed for years. At the start of the 2004-05 school year, however, the Dining Committee, comprised of 15 students who contribute ideas for menus and services, decided to enhance advertisement of their products through the Dining Services website and distribution of color informational packets around campus.
Dummy baskets displaying ingredients were on display during New Student Orientation. According to Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services Margie Bryant, parents were interested in investing in the baskets for their newly collegiate children.
The redesigned advertising has paid off. Bryant confirmed that the number of gift baskets ordered during the first semester of this year was double that of the same period for last year.
“The ‘Happy Birthday’ cupcakes and cookies are by far our most popular items,” she said.
The cupcakes are not just birthday delicacies. Their iced well-wishing messages are the work of the tiny hands of Hoya Kids, the toddler-aged children of faculty who attend Georgetown’s nursery school.
Valentine’s Day packages are currently available. Students can buy a heart-shaped cake or a dozen heart cookies and strawberries. As great as the efforts of Dining Services sound to my sweet tooth, students barely appreciate this fantastic service.
Ian Thompson (SFS ‘06) echoed Whelan’s distaste for cafeteria pastries. “I don’t think it shows a lot of consideration when you buy something for Valentine’s Day from the cafeteria,” he said.
What’s wrong with the cafeteria? Most of our first years and sophomores eat contentedly in Leo’s or Darnall every day.
Dining Services is making it more convenient for us to remember our friend’s birthdays. Their icing and balloons might save a lot of significant others and roommates from significant embarrassment due to failure to sufficiently honor their friends’ birthdays. Students should take further advantage of these special services.
