Mentioning the Chancellor’s Breakfast sends two words through the minds of many students: free pancakes. The spring edition of the Chancellor’s Breakfast will be held in the Pentagon and Highland dining halls tonight from 10 p.m. to midnight.
“The purpose of the pancake dinner is to support students as they prepare for finals and to let them know that we’re behind them as they get ready for finals week,” said Jason Droddy, coordinator in the Chancellor’s Office.
Droddy said the breakfast began in the year 2000, when the chancellor was looking for a way to encourage the students and show them the administration cares.
“It’s really great when the fraternities, sororities and other student organizations get together. It also gives the students something to do, and besides, what’s better than free food?” Droddy said.
Jonathan Marlowe, a psychology sophomore, said he went to the breakfast last year when he lived on campus. Marlowe said he didn’t know they were having the breakfast again until someone recently informed him.
“I went last year, and it was really nice. All my friends went out and got some free pancakes,” Marlowe said.
Marlowe said he probably will go tonight because he has friends who will want to go.
“We had about 2,000 people last year at both dining halls. I wish we could have all 31,000 students,” Droddy said.
Katie Mason, a psychology freshman, wishes she could have gone.
“I wanted to go last semester, but I had an exam the next day, and I wanted to study. My friends went and had a good time, but I couldn’t go,” she said.
Droddy said the breakfasts typically are held the week before finals week and always during Dead Week.
Rudy Samalot, a speech communications senior, said he does not like the timing of the breakfast.
“It’s something nice that the school does, but I think they do it at a bad time. They have it too early in Dead Week, a time when some people still have tests,” Samalot said. “I think it should be closer to finals.”
Samalot also said he enjoys the breakfast but thinks it should have more food variety.
“Some people don’t like pancakes, so for example, they could keep the cereal out for those people,” Samalot said.
Droddy, who will be serving as Pentagon breakfast co-captain, said many staff members will be serving food, including deans and directors.
The chancellor also will be at the breakfast, Droddy said.
“He’ll be at the Pentagon first, then he’ll move over to Highland,” Droddy said.