Acorn

Sociologists often refer to college campuses as cultural anomalies-subcultures with norms and rituals unto themselves. Certain staples of college life are typically unpopular and taboo in other places-wardrobes of sweatpants, recreational drug use, and, of course- a diet consisting of three main food groups: ramen, popcorn and anything that grows on vending machines.  Basically-- just like mom never made.

Drew students, much like the rest of collegiate America, have crafted unique culinary habits to keep things interesting while on campus. Besides the dorm stashes of cereal, Pop Tarts, Uncle Ben's rice bowls, stolen apples from the Commons and, of course, Cup O' Noodles, slews of takeout menus, and the occasional trip to the eateries of downtown Madison, there are many ways to quiet cravings when taco night or a turkey sandwich from the Snack Bar just won't cut it.

According to an Acorn survey of 98 students, 20 percent said that they eat off campus-or get meals from somewhere other than a campus dining location-more than six times a week. Forty-three percent said they eat off campus once or twice a week, and the rest said three or four times a week.

"I pretty much don't use my meal plan," freshman Olivia Jorgensen said. "I used up most of my points [at the Snack Bar] but I still don't eat at the Commons very much." Her dorm stash is extensive: a freezer full of Annie's natural frozen dinners, whole wheat bread, hummus, Chewy bars, canned tuna fish and lots of tea.

Her weekly eating habits consist of a few meals at the Commons-usually no more than three or four, a smattering of take out meals, and the Annie's meals, especially the Indian dishes.

Jorgensen uses her limited preparatory resources to the fullest. Aside from her school-rented micro-fridge, she also has a rice cooker, hot water kettle, full silverware and plate supply, salt, pepper, and three different kinds of honey.

"I know its weird and it's kind of a waste [since I'm on the meal plan] but I just like the ability to be more self sufficient."

"I just don't like eating processed food. It makes me feel better when I eat real food that hasn't been refined, and isn't so heavy" she said. "And I like being more independent, and, not that I really cook for myself at home, I like making my own food and having more control over what I eat."

Despite the changes in the Commons, which many students have acknowledged and taken advantage of, monotony in choice leads students to look elsewhere to mix it up.

"The Snack Bar is good, but I never have much time to go there," freshman Michelle Feigin said. "I feel like there's not a lot of variety [at the Commons] especially for vegetarians, The Snack Bar has good salads, but sometimes the ones at the Commons are a little suspect."

Sick of the Commons? What's a desperate Drewid to do? Styrofoam-boxed satisfaction is a phone call away. The results of the Acorn poll show that of all options for delivered takeout Romanelli's, Cluck-U and Dominos were the three most popular restaurants, with Panda Express close behind.

With the exception of Panda, all of the aforementioned restaurants offer a 10 percent student discount to students. Dominos and Cluck-U will deliver until 2 a.m.  And the local restaurants are extremely receptive to the college student demand.

"We definitely have people [from Drew] in here every day," Atlanta Bread Company employee Jennifer Sipe said, who is also a freshman at Drew. Though priced a little steeper than a standard pint of lo mein from Hunan Wok, Atlanta's menu items consists of carb-rich Paninis, pastries, and bagels to keep serotonin levels high, and does, in fact, deliver.

"We cater the soccer team every once and a while, and have many orders from faculty and staff at Drew and Fairleigh Dickinson," Atlanta Bread manager James Mehda said. "Everyone loves the bagel platter."

As Drew kids are well aware, their neighbors at Fairleigh Dickenson, much like their friends at bigger schools like George Washington University, which supplies student exclusively with meals from private vendors, can use their meal plan points outside campus walls.

"It would be nice if we could use our points in the 'real world,'" Jorgensen said. Several smaller private universities, like Monmouth University, Rider University, and Rowan University uses websites like campusfood.com, which provides online ordering from restaurants like Taco Bell and Panera Bread as well as food coupons and discounts to both local and chain restaurants with convenient proximity to the campus.

"I feel like they lock you in because you can't opt out of the meal plan [if you live on campus]," sophomore Danielle Isetts said. "The Commons is fine, especially with extended hours, but I feel like the money it costs for the meal plan could be going a lot further."

Though there are no current plans to add private vendor meal points to the student dining plan, the impending possibility of a new program may bring changes to student dining.

In the meantime, Drewids are using their resources. Sophomore Sara Fagan, resident of Asia Tree House, lauds the advantages of having a full-functioning kitchen just a few doors down the hall.

"People definitely cook and make pasta, frozen pizzas, macaroni and cheese and sometimes [Asian] food for events" Fagan said. Maintaining the kitchen is a team effort, and the conveniences of Commons conveyor belt dishwashing do not apply.

"Everyone has to pitch in, loading the dishwasher, not leaving dirty dishes in the sink for other people-it comes with responsibility, but it's worth it. I don't have to eat in the Commons quite as much anymore," she said. Does Asia Tree have an opinion on the best Asian takeout in Madison?

"Hmmm, Panda's probably the best. It's not like what you can get in New York though."

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