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Students in a marketing class taught by Business Department Chair, Brian Bettencourt, recently surveyed COS staff and other students to determine their preferences, experiences, opinions and recommendations as they relate to campus food vendors.
Over a two-hour period, the pollsters found more than 800 participants (57% female and 43% male) eager to make known their feelings about on-campus food vendors at COS. The respondents included full-time students (69%), part-time students (20%) and staff (12%), most falling in the 19 to 24 age group. Most (81%) of the respondents indicated they spend at least 4 days a week on campus, and while on campus 76% of the polled population have access to a vehicle (making it possible to leave campus to purchase food).
Twenty-nine percent of the respondents indicated they purchase food on campus — mainly snack items and beverages. While 31% of the respondents indicated they purchase food off campus — typically at Subway (24%), Taco Bell (28%) and Panda Express /Pick up Stix (17%) — a substantial number of respondents indicated they either bring food from home or go home to eat.
The survey revealed respondents are not thrilled with campus food and indicated prices are expensive.
Respondents also expressed a desire for more food choices and more healthful menus. Respondents overwhelmingly selected Subway as a preferred on-campus dining establishment. Taco Bell was a distant second choice.
Bettencourt said he wanted to do the food survey because he felt it would be a compelling project for the students. “Every year I do a project and this was something the students were excited about and loved,” said Bettencourt. Bettencourt said he will share the results with COS President Dr. Scroggins.
The people have spoken. COS is no longer a small campus (over 11,000 students attend) and high-priced tacos are not going to cut it anymore.
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