Boston University Dining Services is working to make improvements by installing feedback machines in each dining hall to measure students’ satisfaction. LEITHLAND KILBURN/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF
Boston University Dining Services has worked in recent semesters to institute new improvements, including active social media accounts, new menus, cultural events and feedback machines, to increase student satisfaction.
Scott Rosario, marketing director for BU Dining Services, wrote in an email that changes to Bay State Underground have brought more variety to the campus dining scene.
“After reviewing student feedback and looking at industry trends the dining services team wanted to bring the Omori Ramen Bar concept to Bay State Underground,” Rosario wrote. “… Omori Ramen Bar opened at Baystate Underground at the start of the spring semester and has been very well received by students.”
In addition to new and diverse food locations on campus, Rosario wrote, BU Dining has worked to host more cultural event nights.
On Feb. 5, all four dining halls celebrated the Chinese Lunar New Year, and on Tuesday, the Warren Towers Dining Hall hosted an African Diaspora Cultural Night with BU’s Student Government.
“Dining Services hosts over 30 different theme meals and events in the dining rooms each semester,” Rosario wrote. “Some of those events celebrate food holidays, some feature Boston Area restaurants and Chefs, while others highlight different cultures and cuisines.”
Dining Services often partners with student organizations to plan different theme nights, Rosario added.
“For over three years Dining Services has partnered with the BU chapter of Spoon University to host 90’s night,” he wrote. “The Latin Fraternity Phi Iota Alpha has sponsored Latin Night theme meal.”
Robert Flynn, marketing manager for BU Dining, said that the Latin Night meal hosted at West Campus in October was successful.
“The menu was fantastic, and we worked really closely with [Phi Iota Alpha] to go over all of the recipes and how to decorate and plate all of the dishes,” Flynn said. “We’re doing it again this semester, this time at Warren Towers, sometime in late March I think. It was just received so well last semester.”
Flynn said BU Dining hopes to work with more student groups in future.
“We like to work with student groups to promote all of the work they’re doing on campus,” he said. “We hope to continue to expose the student community to great food and new menus.”
Last semester BU Dining installed “Happy or Not” feedback machines in the four main dining halls and the Union Court to track student opinions on food and service. Rosario wrote that these devices can be used to gauge student satisfaction throughout the day.
“After reviewing and analyzing the data Dining Services can make adjustments as needed or use the data for future planning,” he wrote.
Rosario also wrote that BU Dining Services receives feedback from their social media accounts. BU Dining’s Twitter account has more than 7,000 followers and about 27,000 total tweets.
“Social media is also a great way for Dining Services to connect with and engage with students in real time using apps that most students have easy access to,” Rosario wrote. “Students are able to ask questions and share feedback.”
Vivian Swift, a freshman in the College of Communication, said she sometimes feels uninformed about the various events happening in the dining halls.
“I don’t really understand the point of them,” Swift said. “Usually I don’t really know when it is happening because they don’t really advertise it as much. I feel like more people would go to it if they talked about it more.”
Clara Kim, a freshman in the Questrom School of Business, said that she likes the feedback machines.
“I see people pressing the button more than once though, so it probably isn’t right,” she said.
Sophia Scaglioni, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, said that she believes BU’s dining services are better than those of other colleges.
“I think BU’s food court is relatively good [compared] to other college dining halls,” Scaglioni said. “I always hear my high school friends complaining about the quality of their college dining hall food. Sometimes they tell me horror stories, and I’m glad that I don’t have to deal with that.”
