Sippin’ Starbucks at school

The University of Houston-Clear Lake joins the ranks with some 300 other college and universities to feature Starbucks on campus. After much student and faculty demand for Starbucks at Food Services Advisory Committee meetings during the 2015-2016 academic year, the Patio Café now proudly serves the premiere line of beverages.

Students are so excited about the debut of Starbucks on campus that the first shipment meant to last for two weeks was gone in 8 days. The Patio Café sent out emails to inform the campus body of the debut success and that the next shipment of supplies was imminent. They are now properly restocked.

Here at UHCL, frappuccinos have been the most popular beverage, but nationwide brewed coffee and lattes are the most frequently sold beverages.

“It was really good,” said Jessica Kunzat, mathematical science major. “I was a little worried that it might not be the Starbucks I knew, but I was impressed. It satisfied my Starbucks needs.”

Though the Patio Café now serves Starbucks beverages, Food Service Director William Leyendecker notes they aren’t a fully licensed Starbucks store.

“We don’t have the pastry or hot sandwiches line, and we can’t use the app, gift cards or rewards,” Leyendecker said.

Leyendecker mentioned possible specials and happy hours will be announced on their Instagram account in an effort to mitigate some of the limitations posed by not being a fully licensed Starbucks store.

Despite these limitations, Starbucks on campus has been successful, even with the temporary shortage of supplies. In reference to the shortage, Leyendecker pointed out, “with growth comes growing pains.” He fully expects to remain well-stocked in the future and hopes that the success will ultimately lead to the Patio Café becoming fully licensed.

In an effort to reduce long lines and wait times, Leyendecker has plans to reorganize the flow of traffic at the registers.

“I plan to re-route all grill and grab-and-go items to the kiosk register,” Leyendecker said while acknowledging the occasional confusion with the cash register nearest the main entrance.

Leyendecker would like the register nearest the main student entrance to be primarily for Starbucks orders.

“This will help alleviate long lines during peak hours,” he said.

Lines tend to be long during class change times but move quickly even with one barista.

While the response to Starbucks on campus has been mostly positive, not everyone is getting what they want. Colden Snow, staff assistant for the Office of Orientation and New Student Programs, tried to order a pumpkin spice latte but was denied.

“They said they didn’t have the ingredients for it,” Snow said.

Despite the quick sellout at the beginning of the rollout of Starbucks on campus, sales are strong and the campus body is pleased.

“Having Starbucks has been great,” said food service employee Yashaswini Gurudath. “People are really enjoying it, and they’re excited we have Starbucks.”

Any questions, concerns and/or comments about Starbucks on campus can be directed to foodservice@uhcl.edu.

UPDATE: 9/27/16 The following article was updated to change the name “Food Services Association Committee” to read “Food Services Advisory Committee.”