On a typical night during finals week, the halls of the Dudley H. Davis Center might buzz with the restless energy of students preparing for remaining exams. But on Tuesday, December 13, excited voices bounded through the halls as a line of students snaked down the grand staircase and filed into the Main Street tunnel.
So, what could possibly get hundreds of students to stand in line at 10:00 p.m. on an end-of-semester Tuesday? Three words: Free breakfast food.
Late Night (or Midnight) Breakfasts are a staple on college campuses. A simple concept, these events are often found at the start of finals week as a method to help students decompress, avoid hunger, and create community. “Late Night Breakfast has been a fan favorite with students at UVM,” explained Melissa Zelazny, UVM’s Director of Dining. “But it’s been on hold since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. I knew it coming back would be popular. Once we agreed on a date, the event just took off!”
Weeks of thoughtful planning proved successful. On the night of, three rows of white-clothed banquet tables awaited guests on the fourth floor of the Davis Center, brimming with freshly made pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausages. Apron-clad members of UVM administration—from clinical staff to college deans and vice provosts—lined up and served a total of 1,008 students in under two hours.
“This is what the residential experience looks like at UVM,” said Charles Holmes-Hope, UVM’s new Director of Residential Life, whose idea it was to resurrect the tradition. “Our Late Night Breakfast was a great opportunity to gather and build a sense of community and belonging, and to emphasize school pride. Next year we are exploring ways to take things to the next level and have an even bigger event.”
Amongst the thousand students was Maddie Henson '23, President of UVM's Student Government Association. "I think the event was a huge success! It was a nice pause before the thick of exam week, and I absolutely would attend another one," Henson shared. "I think the number of students present was indicative of what students wanted and needed—a short break before exams and the chance to just eat food with their friends outside of the dining halls. I think it’s a simple tradition that can continue for years to come!
Even UVM President Suresh Garimella was in attendance, where he spent the evening chatting with students and happily fulfilling requests for selfies. “The chance to be with so many happy students in the home stretch of the semester was uplifting for all,” Garimella shared. “Thank you to all of the volunteers and staff who made Late-Night Breakfast such a success!”
Original source can be found here.
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