Food and drink in computer labs: why not?

Traditionally, computer labs have a number of logical policies, one of which is to ban or highly restrict food and drink consumption. Evolving usage patterns of computer labs point to the desire by users to make computer labs more "lounge-like" and less "cave-like". Managers of these spaces are accommodating this desire, and some managers have begun to relax these restrictions and allow some food or drink consumption under limited circumstances. Most are still uncomfortable with the idea of unlimited food and drink. Two years ago, the College of Engineering at Colorado State University removed a 30-year ban on food and drink in its computer labs. The results are far from the increase in filthiness and equipment damage that are generally feared from consumables near computing equipment. In fact, the insignificant cost increases are far outweighed by the savings in staff time spent enforcing this unenforceable policy, and by the dividends of goodwill that our organization receives from its users. We explain why computer lab managers should reconsider their policies toward food and drink, and the potential benefits they can derive from relaxing or removing these policies.