UNH’s outstanding dining outlets are perhaps the most commonly admired trait of the university by its students. There is a plethora of delicious options offered by the three dining halls on campus: Holloway Commons ‘HoCo,’ Philbrook ‘Philly’ and Stillings. At the center of it all is the hard-working, hospitable staff of UNH Hospitality Services, formerly called UNH Dining Services.
Dining Services recently changed its logo to Hospitality Services –a change that will soon be visible on all employees’ shirts and hats. With an already named “Award-Winning,” service, inquiries have been made by some as to why the change in name was decided on.
“The name was changed to reflect what we do here,” Philbrook Hall Manager Brandon Crosby said. “Is it so much more than just dining.”
“Hospitality” is a more all-encompassing term for the expanding programs that the department is involved with under the overarching umbrella that is the Office of Business Affairs (OBA). The departments within OBA, including Housing, Transportation, Recreation, Dining, Memorial Union Building & Student Activities, Printing & Mailing Services, Conferences, Catering and Finance work closely together.
Last spring, Bill McNamara joined UNH as executive director of Hospitality Services. With McNamara’s addition to the program, Hospitality Services plans on expanding its concession programs, catering and nutrition education to the campus community. According to Crosby, the department was especially excited to hold a concession stand at UNH’s first football game of the season over the weekend.
Crosby also stated the transition from Dining Services to Hospitality Services had no financial impact on the UNH community, nor did it change the customer service being provided. As for staff, employees will continue fulfilling their roles by providing excellent service, just under a more generally representative name.
Hospitality Services’ staff possesses traits exemplary of high quality accommodation abilities. A commonly shared motive to relay a people-focused organization is what makes employees so hospitable in the eyes of the community.
Hospitality Services strives to exude qualities that give every UNH student the healthiest and overall best dining experience possible. In order to accomplish this, organizational efforts originate at the internal level. This starts with the employees.
“We hire for attitude and train for skill,” Crosby said.
Describing a recent hire at Philly, Crosby explained how new employees could adapt to Hospitality Services’ work environment. “This employee had little cooking experience, but because he had the right attitude to learn, we hired him,” he said. Hospitality Services’ hiring process revolves around character and work ethic.
Sophomore Cherry Wu has worked at Pita Pit in Philbrook Dining Hall since spring semester of the 2015-16 academic year. Offering her insider perspective on this recent change, Wu said, “I think the name change is fitting as it really shows our commitment to the well-being of all UNH students.”