Tara Eliason was hungry but didnt want to leave her dorm. It was noon on the day before spring break at Manhattanville College and everythings due today, the junior economics major said. If I go to the cafeteria, I wont get it all done. Heather Singleton, on the other hand, had plenty of time to walk to the cafeteria; she just didnt feel like going. The sophomores classes were finished and she was still in her pajamas at lunchtime, watching Jenny Jones on TV.I thought itd be cool to have a meal delivered, she said. Consider it done. Manhattanville, a private college just north of New York City that costs $26,000 a year, has room service just like a hotel. The difference is that the student, unlike a hotel guest, cant call every day. But up to three times a semester, dorm residents can call the day before, order an entree, two side dishes and a beverage and request a delivery time. It works for breakfast (7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.), lunch (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and dinner (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.). Theres no added cost. Such hotel-like service is still rare on the nations campuses, but experts say its likely to spread as colleges compete for students. Before long, well be seeing a dorm concierge, said Ray Mulligan, regional vice president for Flik International Corp., which provides Manhattanvilles food service. Two weeks ago, Assistant Catering Director Alma Mojica knocked on the door of Eliasons dorm room, with its Rugrats bedspread and Dawsons Creek poster. She carried an insulated red bag over her shoulder. Inside was a cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato, waffle fries and a bottle of Slice just what Eliason ordered. The burger was hot, the soda cold. There was a container of ketchup, a fork, a spoon, a straw and napkins. This is great, said the 20-year-old from New York City, eating at her desk, maintaining her 3.8 grade point average. Meanwhile, a turkey-and-bacon club sandwich, a green salad and fries, plus a Pepsi, had been delivered to Singletons room, with its Three Stooges-Clint Eastwood motif. The 19-year-old from Honolulu, who also has a 3.8 average, was delighted. Its nice once in a while to be able to eat in bed, she said. Im a long way from home. Its not like I can pop in on Mom and get pampered. Mojica said she has averaged five or six deliveries a day maybe 15 when it rains since the program began two months ago. The first was a guy with an injured foot, she remembered. Sometimes theyre studying hard, sometimes not. But we dont ask them why they want it delivered. College President Richard Berman said room service fits in with his student-driven policies, which have helped double the enrollment to 1,300 since he took over five years ago. We keep the library open until 4 a.m. We keep the financial aid office open on Saturdays, he said. If students are happier, our retention is better and if our retention is better our recruitment will be better. Room service sounds a little absurd, probably, but there are times when kids just are studying or dont feel well. If they were in any other setting somebody would bring them a meal or they would order Chinese in. Flik is part of the global Compass Group, which also includes Chartwells, another company that caters to schools. Mulligan said the University of Miami, Southwest Texas State University and a few others among the 250 schools served by Flik and Chartwells have room service like Manhattanvilles, where a full meal is available and it doesnt cost extra. But many have pizza or sandwich delivery for cash.