Hanson said the issue had been discussed at the last two House Masters meetings, and the Masters were highly in favor of the concept.

At those meetings, though, the Masters did not know the name of the plan.

"It sounds like a broken brain to me," Hanson joked.

The Brain Break concept is unique to Harvard, McNitt said. Some schools extend the hours of their cash operation businesses--like at Stanford's Lucie Stern Dining Hall, where students can munch on the Late Nite Snack Service from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. using their Cardinal Dollars--but rarely is a late-night meal part of the board plan.

Lewis wrote in an e-mail message that he congratulates Mayer for his innovative work on the Brain Break.

"All the credit should go to the creativity of Ted and his colleagues in Dining Services in developing this idea so that it can happen," Lewis wrote. "The other innovations, including Commencement week meals, are also very important. Mr. Mayer really deserves a tremendous round of thanks from everyone."

The only note of concern came from Chou. As she examined a table tent with the results of HUDS' recent food waste audit--which showed that undergraduates were throwing out high amounts of food--Chou pointed to a possible repercussion.