The Student News Site of Fitchburg State University

The Point

The Student News Site of Fitchburg State University

The Point

The Student News Site of Fitchburg State University

The Point

Food fuels Finals Frenzy


Cookies and other treats keep students going during finals week. (photo illustration by Sal Marino)

By Jarrett Lehman

During the long hours of studying that seem to take over students’ lives during finals week, there’s something to help keep us going: Finals Frenzy.
A series of events that started May 12 and continues through May 19, Finals Frenzy features various campus clubs and organizations sponsoring original events where they serve food and connect with students. Offerings have ranged from Muscle Milk and Rockstar drinks to chicken nuggets.
On May 17, the ACCESS program and Expanding Horizons got together to sponsor a mashed-potato and KFC bar.
“Mashed potatoes being served in the G-Lobby is nothing new,” says Shane Franzen, associate director of Student Development. “But this year we’ve also thrown KFC-style chicken into the mix.”
Franzen said he had expected it to be a big hit, and it was, as evidenced by the crowd of people that showed up.
“Each year, we probably have somewhere between 200 and 250 students per day taking advantage of this event, and it’s pretty much free food for a week of finals,” says Franzen.
“KFC was a good choice,” says Ashley Tetreault of Expanding Horizons. “We’re probably going to do it next year also.”
But KFC and mashed potatoes weren’t the only things that Chartwells served up for exhausted students this week. Also on the schedule: a root-beer float party, an ice-cream social, chicken nuggets, and a table serving milk and cookies, all located in the G-Lobby. All these events have been sponsored by organizations on campus, including Housing and Residential Services, SGA, Athletics, and the President’s Office.
“It’s just a good way of showing support for all our students [who are] studying so hard for the finals,” says Jamie Cochran, ACCESS program coordinator.
Each year, FSC tries to change up the menu, to avoid becoming stale. Clubs go to the Student Development Center, located in the G-Lobby of Hammond, to request different foods every semester. For the most part, Franzen confirms the event, but sometimes, it’s not so easy.
“Not everything they request would be appropriate,” Franzen says. “Say, for example, they asked for a free margarita day. I would just not be able to OK that. But in the place of the days that can’t be requested, I keep a list of what we’ve already done, and I try to suggest an event that’s not already on there.”

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