The Hilltop Café is experiencing an increase in sales and traffic this fall that seems to mirror its Learning Commons location’s increasing popularity as a hub of campus activity. The second week of fall quarter saw 741 customers satisfy their hunger at the café, compared to 476 customers the year before, an increase of more than 55 percent
“I think the main reason we have seen such an increase is that we truly strive to meet the students’ needs, particularly in terms of our offerings, prices and location. We strive to offer the service and convenience that appeal to students with busy schedules. We want the café to support campus life and to be viewed by our students as a resource,” Hilltop Café manager Ellen Clark said. “As with other operations on campus, our first priority is to serve our students.”
Recent innovations include adding menu items such as the “early riser” breakfast sandwich, warm cinnamon rolls and the especially popular pizza slices from Hooks on the Hill Pizza. By doing this, the café is bringing food the students crave right to campus.
To further meet the needs of students and others, the café has added a credit card machine, and 20 percent of sales are currently being charged.
More than just providing nourishment or a quick snack, the café adds to the Learning Commons’ atmosphere as a central gathering place on campus. “It seems to provide an added part of the overall college experience in fostering a sense of community,” Clark said. “With the ongoing Parkway Project and particularly high enrollment this fall, there is more of a sense of a campus environment and more students on campus. The goal is for the café to add to that student-centered environment
A recent health fair at Ohio University on Nov. 3 gave campus members and area residents an opportunity to take steps to improve their well-being. It also offered an opportunity for OU-C nursing students to gain practical experience that will help to prepare them for their profession and to become actively involved in community service.
The annual health fair offered free blood pressure screenings, as well as information on topic such as stress relief, women’s health and nutrition. Through the event, OU-C nursing students can apply lessons they learn in a practical setting that benefits residents of the region.
“This offers a chance to gain more experience working with people. From this health fair, we learn more about what we will encounter in the real world,” said Kelly Herring, a Logan High School graduate. “Being able to talk with people allows us to learn from experiences beyond the classroom.”
Rhonda Payne, a nursing student from Waverly, said, “As a nurse, we will have to answer questions from patients and their families on various topics, and this experience helps prepare us for that.”
Lauren Gard, a Hillsboro High School graduate, said, “This is very helpful. We are able to interact with people as they share their experiences and health concerns with us.”
“This helps to apply in the real world what we have learned in the classroom” said Brenden Magee, a Vinton County High School graduate. “It is a great chance to learn about patient care and how to talk with people. Much of the information we share at the health fair is the same as we would provide at the bedside of a patient.”
Kaitlyn Massie, a Wellston High School graduate, said, “This experience helps to make us more competent in knowing the information and being able to explain to individuals what they need to do. We also have the opportunity to offer a community service by making individuals aware of signs and symptoms to look for and steps to take in response to those symptoms. Further, this helps us learn how to work with people.”
