The Four Major Food Groups

Committee is not easy.  It is not for the faint of heart.  Committee is days and oftentimes weeks of our lives.  For anywhere from 6 to 10 hours per day, my colleagues and I retire to a windowless conference room (although we do have very nice leather chairs in which to sit) where we sit around a table and build a class.  The process is difficult, oftentimes painstaking, surprisingly inspiring, and oftentimes rewarding.  To engage in such an enormous task, food is a must and thus I present to you the four major food groups of committee.

1. Brain Food From sunflower seeds to raisins to fruit many of us bring in food that stimulates the brain.  Our task is a crucial one.  The two major components of any university are the professoriate and the students.  We are solely responsible for providing one of those groups.  We need to be sharp and on task.
2. Healthy Food As I already mentioned, Committee is days and weeks of our lives.  In early decision, Committee normally lasts 6-7 days (one full work week plus a Saturday and possibly an additional work day or two).  During regular decision, Committee often takes three weeks including multiple Saturdays.  Who has time for preparing sensible meals (or eating at all for that matter)?  It would be easy to snack away but many of us try to eat sensibly in our daily lives and thus we do our best to bring in some healthy snacks.
3. Sugar Committee takes energy….loads of energy.  Whether it’s in the form of fruit, nuts, potato chips, or candy, sugar is a must.
4. Chocolate We’re human.  Chocolate is a pick-me-up.  It’s tasty.  It’s satisfying.  It’s something to look forward to.  Currently, our chocolate craving is being satiated by M&Ms (green and gold ones actually) but we’re not picky.  Cookies, candy, any chocolate will do.

So we each buy snacks, we bring them into the office, and we eat them.  And in between bites we compile a class of wonderfully diverse and interesting students.  I’m not sure there’s a meal more satisfying.