New, but improved?
Students differ in views of updated Lower Caf
March 12, 2008
Gabby Labastida
On March 3, the doors to the Lower Cafeteria were finally opened after months of anticipation and planning, and after almost three weeks in business it is busier than ever. Despite its changes, student opinions vary on the updated space.
Hilary McPherson, fourth-year student and head supervisor, was part of the intense planning that went on behind the scenes in order to get the new and improved cafeteria in working order.
McPherson and co-workers spent nearly 70 hours planning and serving the students during last week, she said.
The long hours seem to have paid off. The Lower Cafeteria’s grand opening was a hit, as demonstrated by recent sales. “The first day was busier than expected,” McPherson said. For example, Jugo Juice had products selling fast, with supplies running low within the first day and a half.
“With the Lower Caf, there’s a totally different ambiance. It’s almost like you are off campus, [especially] when you don’t have a car.” She added that in talking with students, they have been receptive to the changes and service.
Yet there are still students not completely satisfied with the updates. “It’s a good study spot, but not good hours,” student Sam Ritche said.
Others are not happy with the set up: “I was disappointed they got rid of the pool table, it has nothing to keep people here, and you can only fit four to five people in the booths and can’t play cards,” said nursing student Becky Demchuck.
Price is also a point of contention. Said fourth-year Alicia Marshall, “I love it, but the prices are danger, danger! It is a good space, and I like studying here. It doesn’t smell like greasy food anymore.”
More changes as Sodexo drops ‘h’ from name
Sodexo, who is partnering with Ethical Addictions and overseeing the LC updates, has undergone a change of its own.
Formerly Sodexho, the company now spells its name Sodexo, excluding the “h.” This is the spelling of the company’s initial name when it began in France during the 1960s.
“This [change] actually was initiated in September, but the new logo came out in March [when the LC opened],” said McPherson. The change is also coming to the main cafeteria, on uniforms, and on the official email address.
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