By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green State University students desperate for caffeine are accustomed to waiting in long lines for their salted caramel frappuccinos or blonde pumpkin spice lattes.
But the demands on the sole Starbucks site on campus are creating cumbersome lines that at times stretch more than halfway across the large dining area in the student union.
“It used to be just during certain points of the day,” Sheri Stoll, BGSU’s chief financial officer, said to the BGSU Board of Trustees on Friday. But now long lines are pretty consistent.
“It’s addictive,” Trustee Drew Forhan said of the caffeinated beverages.
So in order to deal with the growing demands, BGSU may be switching sites around at the Bowen-Thompson Student Union.
The proposal presented on Friday calls for Starbucks to be moved to the space currently used for the Black Swamp Pub restaurant. That restaurant would then be moved to the neighboring computer lab, which would then be relocated to the old Starbucks’ location.
“We have to do something,” Stoll said.
Currently, some customers in need of their double Americano skinny with legs – or just a regular cup of joe – can wait up to a half hour for their orders.
“It’s just amazing to me,” Stoll said.
The new location would allow for more serving and prep lines, online ordering and pickup, and possibly encourage customers to make a quick stop in the nearby parking lot for a cup of joe.
On Friday, Mary Hartman, a sophomore education major, was sitting sipping her iced coffee in the union. Hartman said she has waited up to 25 minutes for her brew.
“I need coffee everyday,” she said.
Artie Adams, a senior film production major, knows he has to set aside wait time for his morning or afternoon java.
“If I try to stop in between classes, it’s oh crap,” Adams said.
“Heck yea, I really enjoy my coffee,” he said Friday as he chugged the end of his iced coffee.
Justin Karmick, a sophomore engineering technology major, said he often waits 15 minutes for his caffeine fix. On Friday, the fix came in the form of a caramel macchiato.
“There are specific times in the day you know to avoid,” Karmick said. “If it’s noontime, I’m not even going to try.”
But normally, he sets aside time for a stop by Starbucks.
“I find time to schedule it in,” Karmick said.
Adams and Karmick said they are willing to wait in line for their daily caffeine. But they have little tolerance for people who try to barge in line.
“There are a lot of line jumpers,” Adams said.
