After Ball State University Dining introduced an online ordering system during the summer, students are taking advantage of the technology's features.
Web Food is a system that allows students and faculty to use their meal points to order food online and schedule a pickup time.
Freshman Kayla Shoop said she enjoys the new system because she can custom order her food.
"I always try and custom order my sandwiches when I get them, but I only have 15 minutes in between my classes," she said. "With the Web Food, I can order my sandwiches during class and still get them custom-ordered without having to wait. You don't have to wait in line, it's just grab and go."
Senior Jessica Lozano said Web Food's time flexibility is helpful.
"When you know you're going to have a busy day, it can be useful," Lozano said. "In the morning you can schedule your whole day including your meals. It reduces the waiting time and you already know what you are going to eat."
Freshman Michael Konopasek said the system could cut down on waiting time.
"I probably will use it if I get busy enough," Konopasek said. "The last few times I was at Woodworth there was really long lines, and that gets annoying."
Junior Qais Faqivi said she has not used the system but might in the future.
"I have to get used to the food here first," Faqivi said. "After a while I think I might use it though."
Sophomore Austin Toombs said students and faculty need to adapt to the system before it becomes a trend.
"It'll save on time once people figure out how to use it," he said.
Amy Wagner, Cbord computer systems coordinator, said the service is available at the Atrium's Block & Barrel and McKinley Grille and Woodworth Dining's Deli World, De La Casa, Comfort Zone and Woody's Grill.
"We expect the online ordering to be very successful," she said. "I've heard in the past that students didn't have time for lunch, but now students won't have to skip meals. They are given much more time flexibility with the online ordering."
A link is on the Dining Web site, which takes students and faculty to the program, Wagner said. Customers can scroll through menus and custom order food, she said.
Wagner said Dining is using a system to make customers pick up their orders on time.
"We are going to be on a three strikes, you're out program," she said. "If a student does not pick up their meal three times, then we will block their account, and they won't be able to order food online again. I understand that things will come up, but three times is pretty excessive."
The amount of times a student is late is tracked with students' Ball State ID number, she said.
Wagner said if there's something that can be done to make the system run easier, then Dining will gladly make it happen.
"We are very open to any comments or suggestions that students and faculty have," she said. "It is a computer software program, so there's going to be glitches."
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