In addition, students can expect improvements in the soup and pasta stations and personalized mug racks aimed at making students more aware of their use of china and paper cups.

“People eat with their eyes,” Mayer said, explaining how food appears more appetizing under halogen rather than flourescent lighting, “so we will try to make more attractive serveries.”

While some students may appreciate the improvements to the serving areas, most are more excited about menu changes like brain breaks that include cereal and mint chocolate chip ice cream.

“I don’t see why anyone wouldn’t like these changes,” Dunster house resident Greg E. Stein ’06, said. “While we may be lacking granite table tops, I’d take ice cream any day.”

Stephanie G. Nieto felt the same way, “Who doesn’t like ice cream?” she said, enjoying a bite of chocolate chip Breyers.

And at another table, Allison M. Colbert ’05 was pleased. “It’s nice that they’re trying,” she said

Student feedback is exactly what Mayer said that HUDS is looking for.

“We talked to the house masters about forming a food committee for the two houses,” he said. “Really, we’re looking to better understand what students want.”

—Staff writer Wendy D. Widman can be reached at widman@fas.harvard.edu.