University of Louisville

Dining Service Advisory Committee Meeting

Miller Hall

Friday, November 3, 2006-Noon to 1:00PM

MINUTES

In attendance: Elisa Stephens, Melissa Pompa, Sonny Altman, Trevor Joelson, Kate Bruggemann, Taylor Hamilton, Barb King, Matt Ward, Elisabeth Dawkins, Glenda Neely, Justin Tooley, Andrew Shires, Courtney Murphy, Benjamin Knight, Alex Frommeyer, Cory France, Paula Flick, Shannon Staten, Yoni Moise, Chynna Hibbits

Sonny Altman welcomed everyone to the meeting. He gave an overview of the committee’s purpose and make-up. The committee is an advisory committee to talk about food services and is open to any suggestions, comments, criticism, or complements. The committee is made up of one representative from each residence hall; a representative from the faculty senate, staff senate, SGA, RSA, Housing and Contract Administration.

Carry Over Items:

§  Credit Cards:

All cash registers will be converted to accept credit cards during Christmas Break. Students should be able to use credit cards at all locations when the spring semester begins.

·  Website Marketing:

Dine on Campus Website is maintained by Courtney the Marketing Director. Courtney notes that students can find out information at the dorms on the boards, and on the banners. Melissa asks if anyone has any ideas or suggestions on marketing the website. One suggestion was that Chartwells advertise the website in the SAC so that more students will look at it.

·  Additional Pizza:

Chartwells is still looking into what locations would be best to offer pizza. This item will remain a carryover item for the December meeting.

Commuter Survey:

Barbara passed out results from commuter survey. Her goal is to share the needs of the commuter survey. The students who filled out the commuter survey seemed to agree that food on campus is expensive, and offers little variety. Barbara thinks that the problem may not be the lack of variety, but rather the commuter students not being informed about where all the different food locations are.

Scratch off Promotion

Regional Promotion to draw people to the website. You enter a code on the website from a card received at the cash register and you get a coupon for food or beverage. It was stated that cashiers are not handing out cards. Melissa was asked to check into cashiers handing out cards.

Organic Foods:

Chartwells is currently offering organic foods (whole/natural foods) on a trial basis in the S.A.C, and next week the trial run will be in Mitzis. After the trials Chartwells will determine where it is plausible to keep the organic foods.

Mitzi’s Price Options:

-Student asks why Mitzi’s sandwiches are more expensive then the sandwiches sold in Outtakes. Melissa explains that the sandwiches in Mitzi’s are specialty sandwiches and the prices are based on the ingredients. The specialty sandwiches (which are approximately $6) have more ingredients than the Outtake’s grab-n-go (pre-made) sandwiches which are only $3.49.

-Student states that the more expensive Mitzi’s sandwiches are pre-made as well. Melissa explains that the only reason they are pre-made in the morning is to fill the student’s high demand. The Mitzi’s sandwiches still include more ingredients.

-Student states that when he buys a sandwich in Mitzis, and then adds chips and a drink, his lunch cost reaches approximately $8. Melissa explains that the new combo meals that just rolled out will help the prices of lunch to decrease. With the combo, chips and a drink will be offered with the sandwich under one lower price instead of each item sold separately. It was suggested that a sandwich be created between the low and high priced sandwiches.

Upcoming Fall Hours:

Sonny passes out copies of Chartwells fall holiday hours. The hours will be posted on the dining website, and at all the dining locations a week before Thanksgiving.

-Tulip Tree Café and the Halftime Grill will be open for faculty and staff the week of December 18th. Shannon recommends that this information should be forwarded to staff. Sonny responds that he will post that in UofL today.

Reports and Comments:

-Barbara comments that she is glad to hear about the commuter advisory group for food. Sonny thanks Justin for being a tremendous help in setting up the commuter advisory group.

-Breakfast buffet smells good and looks good. Shannon states that it looked busy at 9:30 am on Friday.

- The addition of the credit card acceptors on the registers will be helpful.

-Great Job on the Lunch Combos. Melissa says there are going to be combos offered in every location coming up soon. For example, if you buy a hot entrée you will get a drink for one dollar.

-Glenda asked if Chartwells is working with athletics. Sonny states that he and Melissa have been working with the athletic department since April to accommodate their needs.

-Sonny states that their goal is to serve the entire University community…athletes, commuters, residents, faculty and staff. We have 21,000 students, so students are the primary concern but not to forget about the 5,000 faculty and staff.

-Justin reported that last week he had dinner with the President and the Provost and he told them that the student body was highly insulted that it took one athletic meeting to start the big outcry for food services. It was insulting to the staff and the student body because what they were saying was simply not accurate.

-Sonny asks Melissa to get the copies of the dining guide for residence hall forums.

-Student suggests selling multi-vitamins at Outtakes.

-Dinner is really enjoyable.

-Request for Southern Meals. Melissa responds that Southern Meals are served on Sunday nights.

-Students want more fruit.

-Recommend that frequency card be given out for Halftime Grill and other popular locations. For example: Eat at the Grill 10 times get 1 meal free.

-Student had good service at Subway, best team work ever seen.

-Student wants to know what meals are offered in the Halftime Grill and Trattoria ahead of time. Melissa responds that detailed weekly menus are available on the website.

-Halloween Menu was delicious. Employees are very friendly.

-Toiletries sold in Outakes would be convenient for students.

-People miss the 50cent sodas. Melissa explains they were just selling the discounted left-overs from move in weekend.

-Agree that commuter group is a good idea, because they are such a large part of campus they will probably influence future changes.

-Pizza delivery from Papa Johns is going well. Pizza was delivered early.

Sonny closes by announcing meeting of December 1, 2006 at noon in Miller Hall, Residence Center Conference Room.