Julie Weber, executive director of Housing and Dining, treated an AU sophomore to lunch at the University Club Tuesday after he expressed admiration for her work.
"I have admired Julie Weber for quite some time," said Daniel Rakowski, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. "I believe that Housing and Dining is the most efficient, well-run, student-friendly department on campus."
Rakowski said he sees Weber as a proactive and practical administrator and that he's had positive experiences in the dorms. He has lived in the same room with the same roommate for two years in a row.
When Weber met with Class of 2007 President Mark Stern a few weeks ago, Stern mentioned that Rakowski admired Weber and had positive experiences with AU's Housing and Dining programs. Weber helped Rakowski in the Housing and Dining Office but did not remember him.
"Mark asked if I would mind writing a note to Rakowski, and in it I asked if he'd like to schedule lunch in the future," Weber said. "Rakowski immediately called me back, and we ate lunch in the University Club."
At their lunch, Weber and Rakowski spoke about Weber's college experience, her initial interest in her job, future goals of Housing and Dining, and Rakowki's college experience thus far.
"Since I am an avid Bush supporter, we discussed politics as well," Weber said. "We talked about the possible outcomes of the next several elections."
The lunch lasted more than an hour.
"It was a wonderfully positive experience, and I highly recommend that more AU students meet with the faculty outside of the classroom environment," Rakowski said. "It was very informative, and it gave me a better understanding of how the University operates, and Mrs. Weber got to hear in detail how the student body feels about progress at the University."
Weber said she also enjoyed the lunch.
"I was happy to go to lunch with Daniel," Weber said. "It is so rare that I even register with students."
Not many people think highly of the housing director at their university, Weber said. When Weber's office was located in the Rockwood building, she had an ongoing joke with the directors of Public Safety and Financial Aid.
"We would always see who ended up in The Eagle with the most negative coverage," Weber said. "People underestimate how hard this job can be. ... When I make students mad, I tend to make them really mad, so it's seldom that students like [our] staff."
Weber had never had lunch with a student before, but she said she would again if asked.
