I’ve come to appreciate many aspects of Emory University in my senior year. From the top 20 academics, to the wonderful athletics programs, to the unique sense of pride and community, it is evident that Emory is a world-class university.
There is, however, one aspect that I cannot tolerate. And after four years here, I’m thrilled that this is my biggest complaint about Emory. The Boar’s Head line at Cox Hall is an enormous disappointment. Cox Hall is meant to serve members of the Emory Healthcare and Emory University Community with fast, high-quality food. In specific, Boar’s Head states that their “mission is to continue to be recognized as the leading provider of exceptional customer service and superior quality delicatessen products.” However, as it currently stands, the Boar’s Head line fails in regards to the first guarantee.
In case you haven’t been, the sandwich line is a colossal joke. Come immediately after a class, and you’ll be stuck there for upwards of 20 minutes. When it is busy, the workers claim that it is “busier than normal.” The line is pretty much the same length every day. When it isn’t busy, there is only one worker manning the station, leading to an even longer wait. Have two classes back to back? There is literally no chance of getting a sandwich unless a professor lets you out early.
I’m no operations and management expert, but the Boar’s Head line seems to be screaming as a subject of inefficiencies. Meats (i.e. tuna salad and chicken salad) aren’t available in both lines, nor is hummus. There is one set of condiments to serve both lines. Workers are pulled away from making sandwiches in order to tend to the toasting process. The packages with chips are rarely filled beforehand, and scooping in chips takes up valuable time. Specialty meats are kept in a refrigerator far away from the sandwich preparation line, which requires a lengthy trip every time a patron wants Tuscan turkey or salami on their sandwich.
Sandwiches are a staple lunch item and are fairly popular amongst all clientele. However, as students, we are unable to appreciate this food due to the gross inefficiencies of the line. My hopes were high after this summer’s renovations to Cox Hall. Sure, new additions reflect the local culinary environment, and neighborhood attractions such as D.B.A. Barbecue and Twisted Taco are now much more accessible to the Emory community.
With the improvements to Cox Hall, there were many hopes that all stations would be more efficient, and their wait time would be cut dramatically. However, the only upgrade to the sandwich line was the addition of neon lights that do little except improve the aesthetics.
Yes, Dave Furhman, the new head of Emory Dining, has taken on some pretty awesome initiatives. There is now a Highland Bakery at the Business School, and Peet’s Coffee will soon replace a dilapidated Jazzmans Café in the library. These improvements are meaningful and embody Emory’s commitment to local, sustainable and delicious sources of food. I respect The Food Advisory Committee at Emory (FACE), which provides an important mechanism for students to voice their concerns. But despite all this, Boar’s Head hasn’t changed much.
I recognize that Emory is trying to make a difference. Furhman certainly takes a refreshing approach to dining, and the improvements are definitely being appreciated by a wide variety of Emory students. I do, however, feel like there is still MUCH room for improvement. To quote an internet celebrity, “ain’t nobody got time” to sit in the Cox Hall sandwich line. It means a lot that Emory students don’t have time to wait in line for 20 minutes for a sandwich. Time is a commodity, and here at Emory it would be much better spent completing other activities.
– Matt O’Brien
Photo courtesy of Leonel Reyes from Flickr.
The Emory Wheel was founded in 1919 and is currently the only independent, student-run newspaper of Emory University. The Wheel publishes weekly on Wednesdays during the academic year, except during University holidays and scheduled publication intermissions.
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