“Tea at Three on Thursdays” takes place in the lobby of the Traditions area on level 4 of the Kansas Union at Kansas University. It provides an opportunity for students, staff and faculty to gather together to enjoy free tea, cookies and conversation in a comfortable setting.

The weekly tea time, which celebrates its eighth birthday this week, was the brainchild of Susan Elkins, staff editor and project manager at KU’s Continuing Education. Such gatherings were held at Smith College in Northampton, Mass., where Elkins was a student, and she met her husband, KU music professor Jack Winerock, at a similar event at the University of Michigan.

“I thought it would be good to introduce a bit of gracious living on the KU campus, where students and staff could meet and mingle in a cultivated environment,” Elkins explained.

When “Tea at Three” started, it had touches of elegance. Linen cloths graced the tables, water was boiled in two silver samovars (special urns used throughout Russia and parts of China for boiling water for tea), and tea was served in crockery teacups and saucers.

Traditional finger foods from the British Isles, as well as regional favorites like cranberry and banana tea-breads, were prepared by the Union’s food service.

Classical music was often played on the grand piano by Winerock’s students, and the theater department presented previews of their shows.

Elkins served as hostess and remained involved with the event until KU Information (where Elkins previously worked) moved to Anschutz Library around 2005, when Student Union Activities assumed responsibility for the event. It’s now in the capable hands of Shawn Bowers, director of public relations, and his team. The silver samovars and crockery are still used, but the only music comes from student laptops.

“It’s now pretty informal,” Bowers explained. “The quiet consistency of the weekly event is a popular staple for many students. It’s a great opportunity for them to stop by between classes and have a casual conversation with friends while enjoying some delicious tea and quality cookies.”

The most popular teas are the Snow Monkey Plum, green and oolong and Earl Grey. Hot chocolate is provided for those who haven’t ventured into the world of tea.

“We provide two different teas each week,” Bowers said.

Mango and Darjeeling were offered during my visit. I sampled the latter with milk and sat beside Erin Munz; it was her second tea-time. She’s an English graduate and taking entry classes for the audiology program.

“I’m not really a tea drinker,” she said, sipping the mango flavored beverage, “but I love the cookies; they’re awesome.”

She asked me about English tea-time traditions.

I told her “tea-breaks” were an integral part of British life and there are official “tea ladies” all over England, whose sole job is to provide workers with morning and afternoon tea-breaks like the ones at KU.

“What’s tea and crumpets?” she asked. “I’ve heard about it but nobody will explain it to me.”

She looked old enough, so I explained that while crumpet was and still is a type of toasted tea-cake, it generally refers to the mistress of a middle-class male. In late Victorian times, married men would slip out of their homes or offices to visit their mistresses with the excuse: “I’m off for my tea and crumpet.”

I don’t suppose Munz will get extra credit for that educational tidbit.

Luckily for me, regular tea-time attendees Rafael DeMarco from Brazil and Adam Norris from California didn’t ask such questions. The two became friends in the molecular sciences doctoral program. They enjoy the Thursday tea-breaks.

Norris, a regular tea-drinker, enjoys herbal and green teas. DeMarco likes the fennel and mint teas, which are popular in Brazil.

“We also drink an iced tea ‘matte’ which is very refreshing,” he added.

They, like the other students who attend the tea time, appreciate the free beverages and gourmet cookies.

If you miss the Thursday tea, you can buy good quality tea/coffee and snacks daily at the friendly Pulse Cafe in the lobby, and then sit and sip in the comfort of the Traditions area, and enjoy a genteel slice of university life. I plan to do that when the weather improves and I can walk on campus – avoid the $1 (an hour) parking fee.