Changes Possible in USC Dining

A University of Southern California representative said Tuesday that Hospitality Services is considering 24-hour on-campus dining.
Senior Manager Jeff Miller told a meeting of the USC Student Senate that the possibility of around-the-clock service would be the primary focus of an upcoming survey that will be distributed next week.

Dining officials first tested the idea last semester by keeping the Trojan Grounds coffee shop open all night during finals week, and they intend to further gauge student interest with the survey before deciding if they will expand operating hours.

Miller said there is no specific plan as to which facilities would convert to 24-hour service, but changes would be made “based on demand.”
To encourage participation, students can become eligible to win a prize by completing the survey. First prize is an Apple iPod digital music player, and second prize is a portable DVD player.

The fall dining questionnaire has been increasingly successful in soliciting student responses since its first circulation three years ago. About 600 students participated in last year’s survey, according to Miller.

“We started the survey because we wanted to make good choices that really affected the students,” Miller said. “So we talked to our customers.”

The survey has proved useful in identifying customer concerns about on-campus food options. In a past survey, students were concerned that the food program did not offer a sufficient selection of vegetarian choices. Hospitality Services responded by working with a food expert to analyze meals. Vegetarian selections now feature a special symbol to alert patrons.

The survey also asks students to compare university-run eateries with off-campus options to determine how the university’s food program can be enhanced.
Most senators applauded Hospitality Services’ efforts to work with students to tweak on-campus dining options, but some felt there is still room for improvement.

“Some of my constituents are concerned that they have to go across campus just to eat,” said Residential Senator Kimberly Jew, who represents Century, Troy, and Marks Tower residents. “There are safety issues in light of recent attacks. Some female students have complained about having to walk at night alone to get food.”

Also during the meeting, Amy Williams was sworn in as a commuter senator. Williams filled the position Heather Arroyo vacated in September when she resigned after failing to qualify as a full-time student, according to a recent Daily Trojan article.

The Student Senate includes five commuter senators, who represent USC students living outside the 90007 and 90089 ZIP codes.