Students looking for new and fun ways to have their voices heard can take advantage of a new opportunity on campus. Campus Dining is searching for new student representatives to sit on their advisory board, a group of students that gives feedback to Aramark, the campus dining vendor on campus, about food options.

“It’s an opportunity for students to come and give feedback to the Aramark staff. The good, the bad, the things students would like to see. It’s kind of a focus group,” said Bevann McCartney, area coordinator for Student Housing, which is helping with recruitment efforts.

The group typically meets two to three times a semester and they discuss options for new food ideas on campus. The third meeting being “a little more formal than the other two,” said McCartney, “the last one, it’s usually a very nice meal prepared for the students and Campus Dining directors.”

According to McCartney, in the past, it has been made up of more students who live on campus because they are the ones participating in campus dining most often. This year they encourage all students to come and join the group.

“In the past couple of years, the campus dining staff has bounced ideas off the students on the board and some things have changed because of the students’ feedback,” McCartney said.

Based on student feedback, Aramark made changes to their menu for students at Southeastern.

“Because of this region, the students are very partial to red beans and rice and fried chicken on Mondays, and with the Aramark Corporation that wasn’t something in their standard menu. They are trying to make everyone as happy as possible,” McCartney said.

The Hall Councils from each dormitory usually have members that also sit on the advisory board for Campus Dining.

“The Hall Councils on campus, which are the boards for each dorm, are the primary way we recruit for members,” McCartney said.

The new focus board for Campus Dining has been going on for about three academic school years. In the past, recruiting for members has been done through student housing, but this year they are doing things a little differently.

“This semester it’s been done a little differently though. We ask the Hall Council members to invite their friends to sign up. The more the merrier,” said McCartney.

If you would like to be a part of this focus group and put your opinion into the Campus Dining system, contact Bevann McCartney through the University Housing office at 985-549-2118 or Campus Dining Marketing Coordinator April Field at 985-269-8725.