Late night. Students. Lines. Cups of water. When combined, these created some issues at Bowling Green State University, in Ohio.
Despite access to several free water stations within the university’s student union, students continued to stand in line at the late-night pizza concept and wait for cups of water. As lines increased, students interested in ordering food items were deterred due to the long lines. And one group of students in particular chose to use the contents of their cups for water fights rather than hydration.
To help out with the line and water-throwing issues, as well as to cover the cost of cups, lids and straws, Mike Paulus, director of dining services, recently implemented a 25-cent charge for water-only orders. This was “a unique opportunity to take care of some behavior issues,” Paulus explains. “It has helped immensely.”
Students are not charged for water with food purchases, and the water charge is currently in place only at the late-night concept—one of 27 dining options on campus. Students are cooperating and Paulus continues to work with student groups to assess the issue.