The Student Sanctuary

By: Abby Wood

Sidebar: Jordan Hayworth

It’s cold and rainy outside. Your water proof boots have a squishy noise at the souls of your feet. Your head is bent low under the hood, concentrating on the red brick patio area of the High Point University Slane Center. You saunter through the opening glass doors, rub your wet boots on the mat, look up and take the hood off. Finally, you made it, the Starbucks.

Breathing a sigh of relief, you walk up to the counter to the smiling lady who so kindly asks, “What can I get for you today baby?”

You look at the menu above, considering your options.

Mmmm, that mouth-watering peppermint mocha might do since it is the season to be jolly.

Maybe a nice, warm, chai tea latte to soothe your dry throat from the cold air outside?

Or just resort to your usual the tall white chocolate mocha with whip cream?

People are gathering, and the cold air still wisps at your throat, so you decide the holiday specialty would be the best choice.

The people behind the counter, dressed like Santa’s little helpers, fix up your drink in a matter of minutes.

You pick up that Christmas decorated cup of peppermint-flavored mocha, sip it slowly, and feel that trickling warm feeling cascade down your throat.

“It’s been a long day of work, it’s cold out, I haven’t had anything all day,” says Mary, a sophomore who frequents Starbucks for a good beverage.

“It gives me a pick-me-up, and it’s convenient,” Mary adds.

Whatever your fancy, the number one reason students get a beverage is because its Starbucks, and it’s what you want right now.

Preparing a Beverage

While behind the counter, Brian Ross, a Starbucks worker, whips up a tall white chocolate mocha in the milk canister in a matter of minutes. In his head, he recites:

1. Tall cup gets 3 pumps of chocolate
2. Cup sits under espresso machine and gets one shot, while the shot is poured, steam some milk in a can
3. Once espresso is ready, add milk into cup and stir
4. Top with whip cream if the student asks
5. Finish off with Starbucks flap and lid

The Importance of Speed

“The thing about a drink is if it just sits there, the taste will get nasty, and the students won’t want it. Speed is key during the process,” Ross says.

Even as Camille, another worker, jumps on the next drink, Ross usually gets the milk ready for her to use.

As Camille and Ross are making drinks, either Martia, the store manager, or whoever else is on the clock at the time will take the next order at the register.

“How we do it is someone will slide into another area to help a coworker with a drink. If we have a hold up on the line, we get the drink done first before we take the next order,” Martia says.

The beverage typically is ordered and made within 3 minutes, so that customers can quickly grab it and go to their next destination.

The Workers’ Family

“We got a family-thing going on here because we always have each other’s backs,” Ross says.

“I love my job. It’s a good place to just meet people and make friends, and I like to show people how to make a drink,” Ross adds.

Camille, another worker says, “I work here because of you guys. We are all a family, and that’s the best part about it.”

Martia says she likes working at this student hot spot because “it’s going well in the economy, it’s a popular place with a lot of interaction, and you can have fun and cut back while working.”

“And one of the best things about it is that we are on a college campus, and we get to be a part of a family atmosphere,” she adds.

Monica, a student worker at the Starbucks, says “I enjoy it because I have a packed schedule, and I like being able to cut back while working here.”

North Carolina has approximately 132 Starbucks coffeehouses in the entire state, according to Lifestyle Statistics on Starbucks Stores.

Approximately nine of those locations are on college campuses, according to the Starbucks website.

Those universities include:

Guilford College
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
East Carolina University
Elon University
Lenoir-Rhyne College
Wake Forest University
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Western Carolina University
Us - High Point University

According to journalist Steve Farrington, part of the reason for Starbucks to open stores on college campuses is because it fits the mindset of a student.

A typical college student’s day can be very hectic, and at times, you need to have a boost to keep you going, according to Farrington’s article.

In order to help students with their busy schedules and also keep an enjoyable experience, colleges like High Point University put student interests as a top priority.



Why HPU?

The reason for bringing Starbucks to High Point University, Roger Clodfelter says, is because Starbucks is a brand name.

“Students respond well to brand names, and this was a unique brand to bring to campus,” Clodfelter admits and adds, “Starbucks fits the lifestyle of the student. They come to it to relax and socialize with other students, so we wanted to bring it because it fits student needs.”

The location of the Starbucks, High Point University’s student Slane Center, adds to the popularity and success because it’s convenient, and a lot of students like to come and hang out in this area.

“On average,” Ross says, “we see 40 students come here a day.”

Another reason a student might enjoy a Starbucks is because it’s what their friends do.

“My friends like coming here, so I come with them,” said one student standing behind Mary in the line of customers awaiting their aromatic reprieve.

“I think some people think that in order to fit in, they have to buy expensive coffee in order to be in with their group,” Rajeedah, a student worker says.

One of those students is a regular, named Jordan Hayworth.

Jordan Hayworth

Hayworth says the reason he likes a Starbucks beverage is because “It tastes great, and it gives a much needed boost for the afternoon.”

“I get tired after classes, or studying, or doing homework, so I come here for something to boost me,” he says.

Jordan has been coming to Starbucks since freshmen year, and visits the Starbucks on average at least four days a week.

“Normally I get a tall white chocolate mocha with a shot of vanilla during the fall or winter,” he says, “and in spring or summer I get an iced caramel macchiato."

“I get the mocha the whole year, but when it gets warm, I switch to something cool and icy,” he reflects.

“I also get Starbucks because it’s on campus, and convenient. The people are friendly and laid-back, and when I need caffeine, I get it immediately,” Hayworth confesses.

Even better, there’s more to offer than just the popular beverages at Starbucks.

“I sometimes get a little piece of marble pound cake, or a muffin, or I buy an Izze,” Hayworth adds.

“They have variety here. I don’t have to just get a drink, they have other stuff as well,” he says.

Hayworth recommends it for people because it’s a good place to come and hang out, and take a load off your chest from a long day.

Hayworth says his reason for loving Starbucks is because “it was here, and I’ve loved it from the moment it opened its doors."

Professor Responses

Professor James Stitt from the history department says his reason for coming to Starbucks is “it’s here and close by, and the coffee is hot and tastes good.”

Professor George Simpson, another man from the history department, says he comes to Starbucks because, “I need caffeine, otherwise I get headaches.”

“I like it because it’s convenient and it’s high quality coffee. It almost makes you feel important when you drink it because it’s Starbucks,” Simpson adds.

Leaving with your Beverage

You’ve talked with some friends while waiting for your beverage, you’ve smiled at the workers behind the counter making your drink ready, and now it’s almost 1:45 and time to go to your class.

The Starbucks lady just swirled the whip cream on top of your drink. She puts the lid on, slides the flap on the cup, hands it to you, and says, “Have a nice day baby.”

“Thank you,” you say, and walk out with a smile on your face.