Winter 2023 Campus Dining Today - 74

phones to purchase meals, snacks, and beverages.
This innovation adds an extra layer of security and
convenience to the student experience.
TECHNOLOGY
OPENS DOORS
TO STUDENT
ENGAGEMENT
& COMMUNITY
Cathy Ness
director of business
development, strategic
alliances, CBORD
In today's connected world, where
technology seamlessly integrates
into every aspect of our lives, it's only
natural that college campuses are
embracing innovation to transform the
dining experience for students. Campus
dining has come a long way from the
days of cafeteria trays, long lines, and
cash payments. Dining technology
is revolutionizing the way students
interact with their campus dining venues,
fostering engagement and creating a
stronger sense of community.
THE CAMPUS DINING EVOLUTION
College campuses have always been
hubs of innovation, and the dining
experience is no exception. One of the
most noticeable advancements is the
widespread adoption of card systems.
Today's campus card system streamlines
auxiliary services into one comprehensive
environment that allows schools to
offer modern, contactless technology
and enables students to manage their
financial accounts from an app on their
phone. Where students once had to go
to card offices or use machines in dining
halls to add funds to their accounts, they
can now preload funds onto their campus
ID cards using mobile credential and
native wallet technology, and use their
74
Modern point-of-sale (POS) systems are
transforming the way orders are placed and
processed. Biometric readers, self-serve kiosks, and
contactless payments provide a safer, more efficient
dining experience for students. This technology
leads to cleaner dining environments with fewer
points of contact and provides more options for
busy students and faculty on the go. It also allows
for reallocation of staff. Fewer employees operating
registers means more staff available to serve
students, ensuring that food venues can stay open,
and students can get the food they know and love
when they want it.
Behind the scenes, foodservice and nutrition
software are playing a crucial role in optimizing
campus dining. These applications help institutions
plan menus that cater to various dietary preferences
and requirements. They provide actionable data for
insights into the performance of dining venues and
retail locations. Also, they help manage inventory,
reduce food waste, and ensure that students'
nutritional needs are met.
RESHAPING CAMPUS DINING, FOSTERING
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Technology is reshaping campus dining in profound
ways. By providing a familiar and convenient digital
environment that mirrors life at home, campuses
are empowering students to focus on their own
growth and building relationships with each
other. Innovative foodservice solutions allow staff
to offer dining options and selections that rival
students' favorite restaurants. From themed menus
and dining events to grab-and-go and late-night
provisions, students have more choices than ever
and more opportunities to connect over shared
dining experiences.
One convenient new option for students is the
frictionless shopping experience. The University of
Dayton recently partnered with CBORD to open
Ohio's first store powered by Amazon's Just Walk
Out technology. The Emporium is a convenience
store offering sandwiches, soups, wraps, and other
grab-and-go items. Students gain access to the
store using CBORD's GET app. A quick balance
check occurs to open the entry gates, and then the
Just Walk Out technology detects what shoppers
take from or return to the shelves and creates
a virtual shopping session. When students are
finished shopping, they can simply leave the store,
and their campus card will be charged for the items
they selected.
CAMPUS DINING TODAY | BYTE BY BYTE: LEANING INTO TECH TRANSFORMATION
Winter 2023 Campus Dining Today

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