By Tristan Cross

crosst2@findlay.edu

University of Findlay dining services, provided by Sodexo, launched a survey for students Wednesday, Oct. 23.  One hot topic for students is the Derrick Dollars program which allows students to spend a portion of their campus dining funds at select restaurants in Findlay.

Riley Hale, marketing manager for Sodexo and coordinator of the Derrick Dollars program, said that both the university and Sodexo take student input seriously when selecting restaurants to participate.

“Sodexo and the University typically decide which restaurants we bring onto the meal plan based on student feedback and general interest from the restaurant themselves,” Hale explained. “If we have a restaurant that is suggested by multiple students and has reached out to us themselves, we typically move forward with meeting to discuss the program.”

Hale also noted that the University of Findlay manages the financial side of Derrick Dollars while Sodexo helps facilitate communication and promotion.

“We rely heavily on student feedback to bring change to our dining program,” she said. “We also like to have a variety of menu styles and cuisines included in the off-campus offerings.”

For many students, Derrick Dollars is a way to break up the routine of Henderson dining hall meals while still staying within their student meal budgets. But as the semester progresses, some students say the program’s restaurant list feels too limited and doesn’t reflect the full range of local dining choices.

“I probably use Derrick Dollars three or four times a week,” said junior student-athlete Aidan Pratt. “It’s great because it saves me from spending cash off campus, but I feel like the choices haven’t changed in a long time. We need more local spots, not just the same few chain places.”

The program’s purpose is to connect students with local restaurants while giving them flexibility in how they use their meal plans. Restaurants that participate agree to accept Derrick Dollars as payment, with transactions handled through the university’s dining services and financial departments.

Though most students agree that the program benefits both the campus and the community, some say it doesn’t go far enough.

Senior Mitch Neilsen said he enjoys using Derrick Dollars at Culver’s and Jimmy John’s but wishes more restaurants would join.

“It’s a cool system when it works,” Neilsen said. “But some of the places that take Derrick Dollars are hard to get to if you don’t have a car. It would be nice to see a place like Chipotle or some food trucks get added to the list.”

For Neilsen, accessibility remains the biggest issue.

“I’d like to see the school partner with places that are closer to campus. Right now, it’s kind of limited to a few takeout spots or chains,” he said.

Students have also raised concerns about transparency. While Dining Services manages the program, the criteria for which restaurants can participate aren’t widely known among students. Several said they aren’t sure how new businesses can join or whether their suggestions are being heard.

“I think the school could do a better job of getting feedback,” Pratt said. “Most of us just find out about changes through word of mouth.”

Students who participate in the survey can win a $500 Visa gift card, Airpod Pros, or $50 in Derrick Dollars.

The last dining survey was Feb. 19, during the spring semester. There are other options for students to weigh-in as well. Hale encourages students to attend the SPICE Committee meetings, which are open to anyone interested in dining-related discussions.

“Our next meeting is scheduled for October 27 from 7 to 8 p.m. in CBSL 120,” she said. “We also collect feedback through our texting program, social media, and face-to-face conversations.”

According to Hale, the Derrick Dollar program benefits everyone involved.

“This program helps students, faculty, and staff by allowing them to use Derrick Dollars off campus, providing a larger variety of options for their dining experience,” she said. “It also helps local businesses by driving sales and building customer loyalty among students who might not normally visit their shops.”

Despite student concerns, most agree that Derrick Dollars are a must.

“It’s one of the best things we have,” Neilsen said. “It just has so much potential. It could be a great way to really build stronger ties between students and the community.”

Pratt added that even small improvements would go a long way.

“If they added just a few new spots every year, it would make a huge difference,” Pratt said. “Everyone likes the program. We just want to see it grow.”