Capitol Perks eager to serve despite staffing problems

February 18, 2009
By Brittney Meyer
Staff Writer

“I am definitely an on-the-go kind of guy,” states freshman Andrew Nicol, who normally stops by Capitol Perks once or twice a week to get a raspberry and mango smoothie.

Capitol Perks is Nicol's place of choice since he can get his favorite smoothie personalized there, just one of the services offered by the small cafe on the southeast side of the Public Affairs Center which offers a variety of desserts to go with their lattes, espressos, and smoothies.

Coffee drinkers who line up bright and early before classes for their daily fix of caffeine at Capitol Perks, or students who check their university email, may have noticed that the coffee shop has had a couple of delayed openings within the past few weeks.

Accoring to Geoffrey Evans, Food Service Administrator, employee scheduling has caused the small delays.  Since the University owns Capitol Perks, they don’t have the luxury of overstaffing, says Evans. Staffing the food emporium is the number one priority.

Not having the luxury of overstaffing does not necessarily mean Capitol Perks is hiring, however. They currently employ one full time civil service worker as well as student workers.

“Each day is personally a juggling act,” Evans states about trying to staff Capitol Perks.

Despite staffing problems, within the 2008-2009 school year Evans has managed to only alter the times of Capitol Perks about three or four times.

The coffee shop is open on weekends before and during shows at the Sangamon Auditorium, as well as Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 6:15 p.m, and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.