Starbucks has come to Missouri Southern’s campus – kind of.

Sodexho, the company that runs the University Java coffeehouse in Spiva Library, made the switch this year from the Ronoco coffee supplier in a program called, “We Proudly Brew Starbucks Coffee.”

Alicia Shetron, retail manager for the coffee shop, said the change was made mainly because the closest Starbucks coffee shop to Joplin is located in the Springfield Barnes & Noble bookstore. She said the change will bring something new to the University, as well as the community.

“We thought it would be good for the whole community,” she said.

While the coffee shop serves Starbucks coffee, Shetron said it is not “actually a full-blown Starbucks.” Under the contract with the coffee company, University Java is not allowed to sell frozen drinks like Frappucinos. Drinks with ice in them will be sold in the coffee house.

Shetron said some items were not available because the coffee shop’s waiting for its shipments. The shop will also be selling freshly made sandwiches, salads, chips, candies and a variety of pastries. This is different from last year, since lunch items were not sold.

Tonyna Pratt works as a bistro in the coffee shop. She said the reaction from the students has been positive.

“They are loving us,” Pratt said.

Pratt said the shop averages between 100-150 customers per day. She said instructors even bring their classes to the shop.

She attributes the reactions to the prices of the products being “significantly cheaper.” Students also have the option of designing their own specialty drinks. The coffee shop has eight to 10 different syrup flavors and different types of milks to choose from.

Markus Anderson, senior marketing major, is an international student from Sweden. He said he originally came to the coffee shop because he heard it was Starbucks coffee. He said that while the coffee is not as strong as he is used to, he likes it.

“I can get good coffee around campus,” Anderson said. “They’ve got a good selection.”

He also likes the hours of the coffee shop and the “reasonable” prices. He said his favorite drink at the shop is white mocha coffee, but he has yet to try anything else.

“I’m just sticking with coffee so far,” he said.

Pratt said “the hot choice” drink is the specially made raspberry truffle. Shetron said in the near future the shop will start merchandising coffee cups, mugs and whole beans. She also hopes to see people from the community come in.

“We’re trying to broaden the customer base,” she said.

The shop is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. It is closed on Saturday and Sunday, but will be open on Homecoming.

The shop is open 30 minutes later during the week to pull in students with night classes. Shetron said Starbucks will be a “permanent fixture” at Southern.