Purdue launches study of campus dining experience

Purdue Dining & Culinary, Purdue Food Company and external consultant Envision Strategies have partnered to conduct a study of the University’s residential and retail dining experience. 

The study will assess current dining patterns, buying behavior and preferences for different aspects of the dining program such as service locations, hours of operation and meal plans. The study also will examine perceptions about current meal plan options and preferences for different meal plan structures to assist in the development of new plan recommendations. 

The study will run through Sept. 20. Faculty and staff are encouraged to complete the survey. A group of faculty, staff and students who complete the survey, randomly selected from the pool of participants, will win a prize. 

“Our goal with this study is to make sure we are meeting the expectations of current Boilermakers while considering future needs,” says Beth McCuskey, vice provost for student life. “The University has a strong reputation for providing a dining experience that serves the diverse needs of our campus community and engages our students through employment and cocurricular learning opportunities. The findings of this study will ensure these high standards continue to be met well into the future.” 

The study team is expected to provide its assessment to Purdue by October, after which the University will determine future actions based on recommendations and findings.

Purdue Dining & Culinary is fueling the future and building a community where everyone has a seat at the table. By crafting a residential dining experience and fostering community building, Dining & Culinary provides an essential support system for the well-being of students, with compassion that goes beyond the meal. As champions of each step Boilermakers take on their academic journeys and the student experience, Dining & Culinary offers student employment and cocurricular learning opportunities for students to practice communication, leadership, decision-making, problem-solving and teamwork while preparing for successful careers.  

Purdue Food Company, managed by Aramark, operates more than 25 campus retail dining locations, which provide a range of products and menu items to nourish Boilermakers through their small steps and giant leaps. Purdue Food Company offers retail dining memberships to students, faculty and staff, as well as job-training resources and expansive job opportunities for retail dining associates.