Listen Here
By Erin Moran
morane@findlay.edu
The Main Street Deli and Arcade’s addition to the Derrick Dollars program sparked questions about the University of Findlay’s dry campus policy due to the bar attached to the restaurant.
“Alcohol is sold on the arcade side, not on the Main Street Deli side, so if anyone is using Derrick Dollars, they can’t purchase alcohol with them,” said David P. Harr, director of Sodexo dining services.
Along with the separation of the deli and bar, the university complies with its substance-free policy by creating safeguards to prevent university funds from being used for alcohol purchases.
“It is in our contract that those using Derrick Dollars cannot purchase alcohol,” said Harr. “Because they can’t purchase alcohol with it, in essence, it’s still maintaining the campus being dry.”
While compliance is being met by both parties, students raised concerns about the gray area being created with the university’s dry campus policy.
“I think it is complicated for students, because if you are specifically going to a food vendor and not expecting alcohol, then there shouldn’t be alcohol at a place accepting Derrick Dollars,” said sophomore nursing major Grant Hawkins.
“I think it is mildly problematic that someone over the age of 21 that lives on campus could get food with their Derrick Dollars and then use their own money to buy alcohol from the same establishment and then return to campus and risk getting in trouble,” said junior exercise science major Tessa Fine.
Other students don’t see an issue with the deli due to contractual guidelines that separate food and alcohol sales.
“I enjoy the deli and don’t see a problem at all. Sure, alcohol is being sold, but if you can’t obtain it with Derrick dollars, then there is no issue,” said junior exercise science major Maci Ames.
“I do think that Main Street Deli is a great location, though, and I am excited it is in the Derrick Dollars program, but it is one of those weird areas that might cause some discourse,” said Fine.
The program expansion’s goal is to improve student experience while cultivating community engagement.
“The reason we have off-campus locations is actually because you can only eat at the same places so many times,” said Harr. “It gives more variety for people to go around, and it keeps it fresh for everybody.”
The Derrick Dollar program was created in the early 1990s and is fueled by feedback and engagement. This past month, the Power Up Cafe and the Main Street Deli and Arcade expanded the program to a total of ten locations.
“We take verbal feedback, we do focus groups, and the best ones are always one-on-ones of people just talking about things,” said Harr.
