For years students have asked for a system allowing them to carry out food from Fountain and Clark and this semester their request was answered. The take-out program has gained positive reception from students since it began March 22 as part of the equivalency program.

Randy Lait, director of University Dining, said the University had wanted to make some sort of take-out plan but couldn’t figure out how to create it.

They were able to do so by allowing students to fill one reusable take-out box for the price of one meal.

According to Lait, the program is proving to be a success and so far there haven’t been any complaints.

Lait said, “It’s worked out well so far, especially since it’s something students asked for. We did our research, looked at it like an equivalency feature, and figured out a way to control take-out.”

“Last week, being the first of the program, students took out 35 breakfasts, 199 lunches, and 377 dinners,” Lait said. “Considering this was a 3 day week, we feel it was a success.”

Lait said he couldn’t tell if the program has helped the seating problem yet, but he thinks it will since the people who are alone or in a hurry have the opportunity to grab a meal and go without the hassle of sitting down.

Ryan Thomann, a sophomore in biological sciences, said he feels it’s nice to use a recyclable container instead of a disposable container.

“I enjoy being able to eat while helping the environment and it’s convenient for me when I’m in a hurry or just don’t feel like having to stay in Clark or Fountain to eat,” he said.

Lait said Dining aimed at making the program’s take-out boxes sustainable. “We wanted to make sure the program utilizes sustainable materials: reusable instead of disposable,” he said.

“We wanted the boxes to be durable and washable so students can bring their box back, trade it in or receive a wooden coin, so they don’t have to walk around with a box if they don’t want to.”

David Hyatt, a junior in computer science, said the program is beneficial for his schedule and it’s about time the university came up with one.

“Being able to walk in, get my food and leave, relieves the stress of having to sit down and eat if I’m in a hurry,” he said. “Plus, I really enjoy being able to eat wherever I want. The crowding of the dining room was becoming a pain in the evenings.”