Amid the stress of pre-finals and dip in energy that hit mid-afternoon Tuesday, senior Paul Baldensperger needed a cup of coffee.
In previous years, his drink would have been free, but this year he had to fork over his DukeCard and pay $1.39 for a small cup of coffee at Alpine Bagels and Brew.
“I feel robbed,” he said. “Coffee is good for you. It helps me work.”
For the past two years, most on-campus eateries have given students free coffee and fountain soda during the week preceding finals each semester. The giveaway was part of Student Appreciation Week, a promotional program from the Division of Campus Services.
But students looking for a caffeine fix this year will have to trek to the Bryan Center in order to receive their free coffee and soda that are being served with fresh fruit and snacks.
Prior to 2002, drinks were not offered at eateries. Jim Wulforst, director of dining services, said the expense of free drinks caused Campus Services to revert to the single-location system.
Last year the total cost of the free coffee and soda campus vendors gave away exceeded $20,000, Wulforst said. The true price tag of the program was much higher because many eateries lost the sales revenue they normally earn on drinks.
“Places like Alpine is where it had the most impact,” Wulforst said. “When they give away free coffee, their revenue goes down from $3,000 a day to $1,000 a day.”
Many students, who depended on free drinks during finals study sessions, were frustrated with the change in access.
Grant Woodley, a third-year student at the Divinity School, said he looked forward to the week-long gift of caffeine. “I wouldn’t buy coffee anywhere else on campus because it’s so much cheaper to make it at home,” he said.
As he pores over a semester’s worth of notes, he is taking at least one study break a day at the coffee kiosk set up in the Bryan Center.
Senior Joshua Nelson said he gulped down about four drinks a day last year, and he’s upset that they are not available this year. “It’s the end of the semester, food points are running low and drinks are expensive,” he said.
Campus vendors are still helping pay for the services of Student Appreciation Week, and most of the services are unchanged from last year. A handful of photocopy machines in the Bryan Center are available for student use free of charge, the Duke University Police Department is offering a free engraving service and a temporary store is giving away a variety of items.
“The purpose of the week is just to show a little appreciation for the students. They spend a tremendous amount of their time doing business with Campus Services,” said Richard Lee, human resources development manager for campus services.
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