The Gazebo Reopens with GetFood App

    After a long awaited opening, the Gazebo is now serving the Andrews University campus. However, this year they have opened in a new and exciting way using the GetFood app. For the first several weeks of this semester students struggled in long lines waiting to pick their food up at that café. However, with the help and dedication of the Dining Services Team, students not only can now get their beloved burritos but also have the ability to order their food ahead of time and avoid the long and tedious lines. 
    During the beginning part of the school year students worried about the way food would be served on campus this semester. Students found themselves waiting in line for food and even having to skip meals in order to get to classes on time. Claire Fossmeyer (sophomore, pre-physical therapy) expressed these struggles explaining, “Before the Gazebo reopened it was super difficult to get dinner, especially on evenings with labs.” Nehemiah Sitler (junior, communications) expressed similar feelings: “Before the Gazebo opened this year, the line for the cafeteria was unbearable. At certain points throughout the day, I was unable to eat because of the length of the line.” As a result of these problems the Andrews University Dining Services Team devoted their efforts to finding a way to ensure students could get their meals in a quick and efficient way. 
    It became apparent that the Gazebo needed to open in order to accommodate students’ schedules. Linda Brinegar, General Manager of Café Bon Appétit explained, “A couple weeks ago, I became aware there were students unable to attend supper in the café, due to evening classes. I immediately made arrangements to open the Gazebo with minimal offerings, while keeping our students and staff safe through social distancing.” This quick action by the Dining Services Team was an incredible help to students. Claire Fossmeyer stated, “Thanks to the reopening of the Gazebo, it has been much easier to eat on nights with labs!” However, in order to make the Gazebo safe and efficient due to COVID guidelines, the development of the GetFood app made the Gazebo even more exceptional for students. 
    Planning began for a Gazebo app in early June; however, due to a variety of complications the app did not officially launch until a few weeks ago. Even when the app launched new students at Andrews were still unable to use the app to order food.  Ms. Brinegar discussed how the staff quickly worked to resolve the problem, “The Dining Services office staff worked late into the night to get each student's information into the system, and I am happy to report that now almost all students are successfully able to use the app. Any students who are receiving an error message should stop by Dining Services and we will figure out what is going on.” Now students are enjoying the ability to order their food ahead of time and pick it up in a quick and safe way. Mr. Sitler stated, “I have been using the app a lot lately and think that it is really easy and convenient to use. The ability to order in class and pick up without waiting in line is really convenient!” 
    The Gazebo not only provides a quick way to order food, but creates a safe environment for students to pick up their food. Ms. Fossmeyer shared, “The Gazebo is taking safer precautions to ensure the wellbeing of all students amidst the pandemic.  Having a handling free area has been extremely beneficial in limiting the spread of COVID and allowing students the best option to social distance.”
With the help of the new app and safety precautions Dining Services has adapted and recreated the way Andrews students eat and order food. Ms. Brinegar explained, “COVID has significantly impacted how we are able to handle and serve food. But that hasn’t changed our dedication to provide outstanding food service to our campus and we will continue to do our very best through the ups and downs that may lie ahead.” The Gazebo’s reopening is just another step in returning to the way campus used to be.