The Golden Paw Award, a new distinction given out by the
undergraduate student government to highlight student-friendly
businesses in Westwood, is making its debut this quarter by
recognizing seven recipients.
But students may find some businesses which are popular with
their demographic ““ such as Diddy Riese, Maloney’s and
BJ’s ““ omitted from the list of winners in the
award’s inaugural year.
The Facilities Commission of the Undergraduate Students
Association Council sent out more than 300 applications to local
businesses, and received only 11 applications back, from which the
commission chose the seven winners.
The Golden Paw Award was issued this year to Enzo’s
Pizzeria, Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers and Bel Air Camera, and
represents the highest level of student friendliness, said
Facilities Commissioner Joe Vardner whose office issues the
award.
The Blue Paw, a less prestigious award given this year to
Copymat, Shane’s Jewelry, Häagen-Dazs and Charlotte
James Facial Clinic, represents a student-friendly business that
could improve, Vardner said.
The criteria for receiving the award included how late the
businesses are open, whether or not they give a student discount,
employ students, advertise in the Daily Bruin, and whether or not
they accept BruinCards as a method of payment, Vardner said.
The businesses that win the award will receive window decals, as
well as three paid advertisements in the Daily Bruin, which will be
funded by USAC student fees paid by all undergraduates. Members of
the Facilities Commission will also flier on Bruin Walk and post
signs to advertise the winners.
Though there was a relatively small applicant pool, some on the
committee are pleased with the response.
“For our first year I think we had a good turnout. When
the other businesses see the exposure we can give them, and see
that this had an impact, more will apply next year,” said
Kelly Haddigan, a member of the Westwood Committee on the USAC
Facilities Commission.
Vardner said he was surprised that some businesses which are
popular with students, like Diddy Riese, did not apply.
Other businesses that received the award are waiting to see what
kind of attention it will bring.
The goal of creating this award is to reward Westwood businesses
for being student-friendly, as well as encourage other businesses
to become more student-friendly, Haddigan said.
Tim Talbott, general manager of Westwood Brewing Company, does
not remember receiving an application.
“I don’t remember getting the application, but the
award is okay with me. We see enough students as it is, and I
support the award,” Talbott said.
Sanjay Sood, an assistant professor of marketing at the Anderson
School of Management, said the success of the award will ultimately
be based on whether it increases sales for the businesses.
The commission wanted to give the Westwood businesses more of an
incentive to provide students with special services, and hopefully
the businesses that do not win will look toward the businesses that
receive the award as an example, Vardner said.
Andrew Gordon, the general manager of Enzo’s Pizzeria, is
receiving the award and is grateful for the recognition.
“The award is huge because we rely so much on the students
and the medical center. It’s good to see that the students
appreciate what we do here because we appreciate the
business,” Gordon said.
Dean Abell, a manager at Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers, remains
speculative about the award’s future value.
“I think the prestige of the award will depend on how much
attention and precedent (it) is given on campus. Hopefully this
will inform the students about the services we have to
offer,” Abell said.
“We got the application and, having been a student myself,
we sent it in because we know how important Westwood can be as a
place to shop,” he said.
But Ken Beck, manager of the Westwood Arcade, who applied for an
award but did not win, said he was ambivalent about not being
recognized.
“I’m not too familiar with the award, or the
criteria for being considered for one. I applied because I wanted
some advertising,” he said.