Elizabethtown College is buzzing,not just from caffeine, but from the latest campus controversy—the administration wishes to replace Starbucks with Dunkin’ Donuts. By the beginning of the new school year Etown hopes to have successfully transitioned Starbucks out of the Blue Bean, and replaced them with Dunkin’. The decision was announced earlier this past week, sparking mixed feelings across campus, some celebrating, some outraged and others generally confusion amongst most students who need their daily caffeine fix. Administration hopes that the new addition onto campus will help with inflation rates of coffee, especially sold at Starbucks.
The College administration made the decision to replace Starbucks with Dunkin’, which was based on affordability, contract negotiations and student demand. Despite the reasoning, students are still divided on this topic. While some students celebrate Dunkin’s donuts and lower prices coming to campus, others lament on their beloved Starbucks lattes and shakes. As well, administration hopes that with the new addition there will be less of a cost coming out of the college to make donuts that will have been provided for by Dunkin’ Donuts.
“Etown runs on Dunkin’! I cannot wait until it is on campus,” junior biology major Callie Asper said. “Firstly, the logo is pink! However, it is cheaper and better tasting than Starbucks. I personally love buying their caramel latte over Starbucks since they have that nice blend of sweetness in their coffees.”
“Dunkin’ sizes are perfect. They are not too large so you feel that you are unable to drink it all, and you will be wasting your money,” public health major Grace Mwangi said.
“Dunkin’ has better food options, compared to Starbucks. I am always ordering at Dunkin’, whereas at Starbucks I never order food. Starbucks food options are horrible and never look to be very appetizing. Though I don’t eat donuts that often, I prefer those choices more appealing,” master’s student Lindy Stoner said.
However, those loyal to Starbucks have other opinions. “This is an actual tragedy,” a senior early education major Alexis Girard said. “Where am I supposed to get my iced caramel latte? Starbucks and their variety of coffee is how I survive my finals. Dunkin’ Donuts just doesn’t have the same taste.”
For others, this change will not register as much as a concern. “As long as there is caffeine, I literally don’t care,” senior international business major Ryan Williams said.
As the transition begins to happen, Etown College said that they will hear the students’ concerns. The administration hopes to offer forms which can help gauge the student satisfaction with Dunkin’ once it has officially opened on campus. Though there is large amounts of speculation, administration here at Etown, remains hopeful that the transition will be welcomed by everyone here at the college.
Though there are debates between friends over which option is better for the school, this decision comes down to cost effectiveness and student demand. Let’s hope everyone can have their donut and eat it too.
