Point Perk has returned to serving Starbucks drinks with limited menu options after the drinks were previously removed from the menu at the start of the fall semester.
Point Perk decided to bring back the drinks made after working with the Advanced Entrepreneurship Class last semester, according to Dean Keith Paylo. The class conducted surveys and, within the feedback they received, there were quite a few requests to return coffee to Point Perk.
“As we do with all student feedback, we take these requests seriously, and CulinArt was gracious to return these offerings back to Point Perk,” Paylo said
Last semester, CulinArt decided to change the Perk menu and drink options, replacing the coffee with slushies and refresher drinks, Paylo said. The surveys revealed that, while the new options were well received, many missed the coffee and cappuccino options. Once CulinArt got the machines, the drinks made their return to the Perk menu. CulinArt also trained employees on how to use the coffee machines.
“The response has been very well received, and students, faculty and staff are enjoying the return of these drink offerings,” Paylo said.
Angelina Caceres, a first-year student studying graphic design, has a positive outlook about Starbucks drinks making their return.
“I think if you don’t want to pay for a drink but you kinda want a Starbucks-adjacent thing, Point Perk is good because then you can just use your meal swipe or your flex,” Caceres said. “That’s basically free.”
Joshua Clark, a first-year student who is studying musical theater, is also happy to see Starbucks drinks return to the spot.
“I personally think it’s cool,” Clark said. “I mean it is a little weird because I thought we closed it all because of the whole situation, so the fact that we’re bringing it back is making me wonder where our headspace is at right now.”
The situation Clark said he is referring to is the active boycott against Starbucks.
“I just don’t want to get my information wrong, so I don’t want to say anything,” Clark said.
Koryn Lamar, a first-year student studying dance, shared his view on the Starbucks boycott.
“It’s my understanding that Starbucks supports Israel, and then most people are pro-Palestine,” Lamar said. “So, they’re kind of like because Starbucks supports this, and I personally don’t support that, I’m not gonna buy from them.”
Lamar said she feels, since people are boycotting Starbucks, they are just going to boycott the Starbucks drinks at the Perk, which will cause the menu to go back to how it was in the fall semester.
According to Starbucks, the company does not have any locations in Israel. Starbucks put out a statement on its about page that the company does not donate money to government or military operations. Additionally, the company still has not caught the attention of the “Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)” movement.
However, Starbucks sued the Starbucks Workers United (SWU) union on Oct. 18, 2023, less than two weeks after the SWU account posted a pro-Gaza message on Twitter. Starbucks said the lawsuit was based on the union’s logo appearing similar to the Starbucks logo.
Lamar is also looking at what the future of the Point Perk menu could look like.
“I feel like it’s interesting that they are bringing it back because I feel like the Perk itself is better because they have a more holistic menu,” Lamar said. “So, if they bring back Starbucks drinks, does that mean they’re going to bring back the foods. Then we’re limited to kind of breakfast and bakery type foods, which isn’t my personal preference.”
Paylo said there is a possibility of more Starbucks options on the Perk menu, and it will be based on the feedback of students, faculty and staff.
“We will also continue to work with the School of Business and the Entrepreneur Class who will continue to do analysis on sales of present offerings and if changes in menu are warranted. Please look for additional offerings throughout the semester,” Paylo said.
Kiara Underbakke, a first-year student studying dance, wishes options other than Starbucks would be considered.
“I’ve been complaining that there needs to be coffee here for a while, but I don’t understand why the only option is Starbucks when there’s other options like Dunkin,” Underbakke said. “There’s so many other coffee shop options. It doesn’t even have to be a big brand. I also feel like the Perk can make their own coffees.”
