When Dining initiated its online food ordering system Fall Semester it intended for the service to make lines shorter for Ball State University students wanting to get something to eat.
Deb Hutton, manager of training for Dining, said that concept has not happened as well as Dining would like because of low marketing, but students are still using the service to get the quickest, most efficient food service possible.
The web food ordering system would allow students to order what they want and pick it up later, she said. If students have a short period of time between classes, they can order their food online, have their food ready when they arrive and then go to their next class, she said.
"I think the ones who use it enjoy it," Hutton said. "It's quicker because you can send it from your computer."
Amy Wagner, Cbord Computer Systems Coordinator for Residence, Housing and Dining, said out of the thousands of students who have eaten on campus since Fall Semester, 981 students have ordered online Monday through Friday as of April 4. She said 250 students have ordered online on the weekends.
Students can order food online at the Atrium's Block & Barrel and McKinley Grille and Woodworth Dining's Deli World, De La Casa and Woody's Grill. Hutton said not many people use the system at Woody's Grill though because hamburgers are available in the window when students arrive.
Katie Kovac, a sophomore English and German major, said she worked at Bracken Library and during her lunch breaks she would order the food and get it at the Atrium. That way she does not spend too much time waiting in line to order, she said.
She normally uses the service at least once a week and has not experienced any problems, she said. She has one or two people in front of her who ordered their food before she gets there, Kovac said, but that is all she has to wait.
Director of Dining Jon Lewis said there have not been any problems with students ordering food but not getting it. He said if that were to happen, Dining would charge students for their meals but after the third strike they would not be allowed to use the system for a period of time. He did not say how long that time frame would be.
Hutton said although she was pleased with the web food ordering system's use so far, she and Dining would like to increase its usage. Formal marketing will begin in a couple weeks and through summer orientation, she said.
"We want to keep going with it," Hutton said, "and I don't think a lot of students know they can do this."
To order food online at Ball State go to www.ballstate.webfood.com and create an account.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
