Twice monthly, snacks, information and survey forms sit on a table in the University Student Commons lobby.
This means it is CoffeeBRAKE time, the time when Off-Campus Student Services provides commuting students and others living off-campus the opportunity to learn about activities and events on campus.
“We can’t litter their apartments with fliers,” said Martha Harper, information services manager for the Student Commons, as she sat at her desk surrounded by boxes of snacks and drinks for the 5 p.m. CoffeeBRAKE.
As students curiously approach the table to see what goodies are available-they can hear Harper ask the question, “Are you an off-campus student?” If the students reply affirmatively, she hands them a small clipboard with a survey attached that they must complete before taking a snack.
“The point of the survey is to get students asking questions, so that we can help them get what they need,” Harper said.
On-campus students who wander over to the table, Harper said, can also pick up freebies and information handouts from the sponsor of that particular CoffeeBRAKE. VCU departments and student organizations can sponsor a break.
Miriam Maddux of VCU’s Office of Parking and Transportation said her department has sponsored three CoffeeBRAKES since last fall.
“I think it is a good idea because it gives parking and transportation an opportunity to give out information about upcoming important dates like the date when Spring 2006 student parking permits go on sale,” she said.
Generally catered by Aramark, CoffeeBRAKE prices range from $117 to $156 for about 50 to 65 students, which Harper said allows them to take one snack and one drink.
“But sometimes I buy the snacks and drinks in bulk,” she said, pointing to the boxes and cans stacked next to her.
Every CoffeeBRAKE draws about 70 students, Harper said.
Tara Franklin, a junior English major, said she thinks it is a good idea because it gives the students a nice break once in a while.
“You can’t beat free coffee,” she said.
Eli Blahut, a freshman psychology major, and Marci Graff, a freshman religious studies major, both agree that CoffeeBRAKE is a great idea.
“The surveys,” Blahut said, “are cool because it gives them an idea of what the off-campus students are thinking.”
For Graff, however, it’s learning about the campus activities and other events that are important.
“Being off-campus, it’s hard to know about what is going on and having these really helps,” she said.