Yale Bulletin and Calendar

May 31-June 21, 1999

Volume 27, Number 33

Dining staff friendliness ranks high on survey

The friendliness and responsiveness of dining hall staff were among the highest-ranked items on a Customer Satisfaction Survey taken this spring in campus dining facilities.

The survey is part of a semi-annual review of customer likes and dislikes introduced this year by Yale Dining Services in order to clarify its strengths, weaknesses and suggested areas for improvements.

In all, 2,482 customers took part in the survey in 14 residential and three retail dining locations. Participants were asked to rate everything from the freshness, taste and preparation of the food to the cleanliness of the facility and the convenience of its hours. The survey used a rating system from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).

Combined, the overall spring 1999 score for satisfaction with the dining services was 3.03, or slightly better than "good," while staff responsiveness and friendliness were ranked at 3.73 and 3.95 respectively.

The meal plan and customers' perception of value were among the lower-ranked items, prompting Yale Dining Services to plan modifications to its existing meal plans to provide more flexible options for both undergraduate and graduate students in the fall.

In response to other customer concerns, Yale Dining Services is also planning to increase the variety of its menu, introduce more special menu features, and switch from a six-week cycle to a four-week one to allow for the introduction of more popular and varied selections.

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Yale celebrates 298th Commencement
Yale launching a more user-friendly home page on the World Wide Web
Anthony T. Kronman reappointed as Dean of Law School
Festival will bring world of art and ideas to city
Endowed Professorships
New Haven attorney Julie Carter joins Office of General Counsel
To eat well, relax at the table, advises master chef Pépin
Reunion programs will both educate and entertain returning alumni
Some Yale graduates dancing down a different path
Yale's new student-built solar car headed for Sunracye '99
New alumnae's nursing training included health work overseas
Harold Samuel dies; brought musicians' archives to Yale
Dining staff friendliness ranks high on survey
Prostate Cancer Awareness Stamp to be unveiled at campus event
Conference to explore the future of language
Dr. William F. Collins is recognized for lifetime contributions to neurosurgery