Resident students now have more options to dine elsewhere since Wolfbucks, Wavebucks, Greenbucks and Pelican Plan points may be used interchangeably on both Loyola and Tulane’s campuses.
According to Tulane and Loyola University Dining Services, Wolfbucks are currently being accepted at all dining facilities, including Tulane’s Bruff Commons Dining Room, Le Gourmet, the Lavin-Bernick Center food court, Der Rathskeller, the Drawing Board Cafe and McAlister Market.
However, the LBC food court will not accept Wolfbucks between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily.
In return, Tulane students may use Wavebucks, Greenbucks and Pelican Plan points at the Orleans Room, Smoothie King, C-Store, Dunbar’s, the Underground and Godfather’s Pizza with no restrictions or limitations on time.
When asked about how the recent change might affect a resident’s lifestyle, Ahmane Glover, mass communication senior, said, “I would happily use Wolfbucks on Tulane’s campus.”
Jennifer Gutierrez, business senior, dines often on Tulane’s campus throughout the academic year. “I think it (will) be awesome,” she said about the plan. “They definitely have more options.”
Loyola’s Dining Services’ registers and computer systems successfully went online with the program on Aug. 28, and staff members from both Loyola and Tulane have been undergoing training to adapt to new procedures that go along with the recent change.
During Spring 2007, a beta test was conducted by Tulane and Loyola University students. Both student government associations participated in the program and analyzed the results from the 10 subjects, who were given $50 to test the swap in February. The second run of the test included 50 students.
Cassandra Kelley, business management junior, was aware of the beta test and thinks the program will be successful. Kelley often visits Tulane’s campus to get a change of scenery and choices. “I was looking forward to it all year long,” she said.
The feedback from the beta test groups in Spring 2007 showed positive feedback, resulting in the collaboration between Sodexho, Loyola and Tulane University, said Elliot Sanchez, Student Government Association president. Sodexho, a food and facilities management services company, has been working with both universities to implement the new exchange since Spring 2006. The company funded this year’s collaboration.
With the help of the beta test groups, many technological bugs were identified. A primary concern included the installation of electrical wires to connect scanner devices and synchronize wireless systems. The connection problem was resolved during the summer after technicians manually installed cables for areas without wireless connections, Sanchez said.
Christine Niglia, an international business sophomore, visited Tulane’s main food court on Aug. 24 and was astonished to hear that the LBC food court couldn’t accept Wolfbucks between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Accepting cash, however, was no problem.
“The hour restrictions are horrible. It defeats the purpose. They (Tulane) say it’s because it’s lunch hour and there’s a rush,” Niglia said. Niglia and her roommate live off-campus and often eat lunch and dinner on both Loyola and Tulane campuses. Regardless, Niglia and her roommate have gone back a few times despite the hour restrictions.
“Wolfbucks are definitely more convenient than cash, and I’ll still eat dinner there.” Niglia said.
Another disgruntled student wasn’t aware of the time restrictions when he visited Tulane’s LBC food court with a group of friends on Aug. 28.
“Tulane didn’t have signs, and it was misinforming on both (Loyola’s and Tulane’s) parts,” said Blane Moffat, a business management and English sophomore. “11 a.m. to 2 p.m. That’s all of lunch. I only have 15 minutes between classes and I thought it was a good deal last year.”
Eating at Tulane is more than just about food options for Moffat, whose main concern is eating conveniently while taking a course at Tulane this semester. The time restrictions make it difficult for students whose schedules run though breakfast and dinner times, Moffat said.
After Tulane turned down his Wolfbucks, Moffat said he hasn’t gone back but is willing to, because there are more food options.
SGA plans to work on a future project to bring in new dining venues for students on campus within the next two years, Sanchez said.
“SGA is committed. The Directors of (Co-Curricular) Activities are committed. Dining Services is committed as well to the current and upcoming project,” Sanchez said.
The newly designed Web site, uptowncampusdining.com, was launched Aug. 24 to provide students with more information about both universities’ dining halls, meal programs and upcoming events. The Web site also includes a map of both campuses and cross-campus entranceways for convenience.
Rosie Dao can be reached at [email protected].
