If there’s one thing we pride ourselves on at the U of C (other than intelligence), it’s eccentricity. We brag on shirts that our school is “where fun comes to die.” We can expect naked cross-country runners streaking their way through the Reg during finals. And we are currently preparing for four days of spring insanity, otherwise known as Scav Hunt.

In addition to these, U of C students all know what every Wednesday brings: Shake Day. After its introduction, Shake Day’s appeal grew so rapidly that it now has an established reputation and has asserted itself among the lasting traditions at our fine school. Recently, however, complaints about Shake Day have been the norm rather than the exception. The shakes have grown too small, the flavors too obscure, and the consistency, well, inconsistent.

Make no mistake, Shake Day is still fun and a great place to get a $1 treat on Wednesday afternoons, but it is simply not what it used to be. Indeed, even a dollar can seem too much to pay when the lines are long and the shake is bad. Shake day isn’t a huge problem that needs study groups and committees; instead, a return to efficiency and quality is what is needed.

Many attempts have been made to deal with the problems, but none have yet to be successful. Members of the Inter-House Council are currently speaking with the University Dining Services to advocate for more flavor options and better-made shakes. We support this effort and hope to see an improvement in the shakes that Wednesday brings. After all, would we really want dollar shakes to go the route of the old Core, Woodward dorm, and Division I sports?