A shortage of orange straws caused Dunkin’ Donuts in the Schine Dining Center to shut down today, throwing the Syracuse University student body into a state of mass panic.
The popular on-campus establishment closed at noon following its inability to provide the straws, leaving students confused and unable to cope with its unexpected closure.
“I’m nothing without my daily caffeine jump from Dunkin’s,” said Judy Richardson, a sophomore history major. “You take away my morning strawberry Coolatta, and you take away my everything.”
Yet while the move was unpopular among students, some remained sympathetic regarding the decision and viewed it as a necessary evil.
“I hate that they had to close today, but I get it from a PR standpoint,” said Ellie Feinstein, a senior public relations major. “I mean, without the orange straw, how else will people know that we got our drinks from Dunkin’ Donuts? They had to save face somehow.”
However, students were forced to find ways to fill the new gap left in their schedules. Most sought their beverages elsewhere, but the change in routine proved difficult for all parties involved.
“I was about to go to the Dunkin’s on South Crouse, but then I forgot that they don’t take SUpercard,” said Will Branson, a freshman in the School of Information Studies. “I don’t want to use real money. It’s my right as a college student to caffeine and to use my parents’ money.”
Other businesses felt the magnitude of Dunkin’s shutdown as they experienced higher-than-average volume.
“Today was a nightmare, and we’re already busy enough as it is,” Starbucks employee Charlene Nash said. “Practically everything sold out within an hour. A professor actually left in tears after waiting in line to find out we had run out of asiago bagels.”
However, the situation may have been a blessing in disguise for other stores.
“We appreciate the extra business,” said Boba Suite co-owner Lang Lang, whose store is still reeling from a customer’s near-death experience there last week. “Anything to get our name back out there.”
Dunkin’ Donuts is expected to reopen tomorrow morning in Schine Dining Center, pending a delivery of more orange straws.
