4 ideas to capture college students’ attention

Read on for a look at unique marketing tactics used by university operators, from playlists to Pop-Tarts. 

Notre Dame Campus Dining has created a series of Spotify playlists to put a pep in students’ step, no matter where they’re tuning in from. The curated lists, which boast creative names such as “Don’t Go Bacon My Heart” and “Smooth(ie) Songs,” are promoted with the hashtag #NDFoodTunes on social media. 

In tandem with publication Spoon University’s BU chapter, Boston University this week held a ’90s-themed dinner, during which students could feast on favorites from that decade, such as pizza bagels, tater tots and smiley-face french fries. Versions of packaged snack foods popular in that era, including Dunkaroos, Pop-Tarts and Cosmic Brownies, also made an appearance.

Earlier this semester, University of Michigan Dining hosted a hipster-inspired brunch event where buzzy dishes such as acai bowls, eggs Benedict and blueberry chia seed pancakes were served.

Sparking the appetites of more adventurous eaters, University of Connecticut recently held its first Bug Feast, offering tastes of cricket-flour crepes, grasshopper-topped banh mi tacos and green tea silkworm smoothies, among other items. Students wishing to attend the sit-down dinner were asked to make reservations ahead of time.