RHA contest this month seeks student-designed ice cream flavor

University of Maryland dining halls will feature a student-designed ice-cream flavor next semester, to be chosen through a contest sponsored by the Residence Hall Association’s Dining Services Advisory Board.     

Modeled off Lay’s “Do Us a Flavor” competition, the contest will allow university students to name and submit unique flavors using a combination of flavors and toppings, said freshman Chaney Schultz, vice chairman of the advisory board. 

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The contest officially began Saturday, and students can submit flavor ideas using the Dining Services website until Friday, Nov. 27.  

“One of the great things about this contest is that it allows students to have more direct input in terms of what is going on in the dining halls,” Schultz said.

Dining Services’ staff will review all submissions to eliminate any that are unrealistic to make, Schultz said. Once the options have been narrowed down, the eight board members will pick three finalists.

After winter break, students will be able to sample the three finalists’ flavors in the dining halls and vote for their favorite, Dining Services spokesman Bart Hipple said.

“Not only is this a great way to get people involved in RHA, but it’s a great way for students to share their creativity,” said freshman Darius Craig, the board’s chair. “Everyone loves ice cream, but not everyone gets a chance to actually make their own.” 

The contest winner’s flavor will be served in the dining halls for the rest of the spring semester, Hipple said. In addition to being featured as the celebrity of the day, the winner will receive a voucher for an undisclosed amount of free ice cream, Hipple said. 

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The relationship between Dining Services and the board has been traditionally feedback-oriented, Hipple said, making this competition fresh and exciting.  

“Frequently our interactions with the Dining Services Advisory Board are a lot more general and directional,” Hipple said. “This type of initiative is the first we’ve had in quite some time.”           

While contest creators want to get students talking about both the RHA and Dining Services, their main goal is to give participants something to be excited about, Craig said. 

“The overall goal is to bring something to the students that they’ll really enjoy,” Schultz said. “Who doesn’t want to create their own ice cream flavor?”