First dining commons food court to hit Waring

Food courts are the latest trend in cafeteria food service, and Waring Dining Commons will be the University's first commons to adopt this new format.

The new design offers many improvements for students, such as keeping lines shorter and offering a wider variety of foods, said Janet Decker, manager of Waring Dining Commons.

Construction started Dec. 22 on Waring Square, a remodeled West Halls dining area, Decker said.

When Waring Square opens for Fall Semester, both sides of the current dining area will be connected, forming a U-shape around the current kitchen area, which will feature half a dozen different food stations.

Ongoing construction required some changes in the kitchen area, including the removal of the kitchen's dish washing machine, said Amy Miller, assistant manager of Waring Dining Commons.

Though the commons will remain open during the renovation, it will provide disposable plates, bowls, cups and utensils instead of reusable products, Decker said, which has produced a negative reaction from some students.

"It seems kind of wasteful," said Meghan Howard (sophomore-architectural engineering), who said she regularly eats in Waring Dining Commons.

Eco-Action Co-director Autumn Hanna said students could decrease waste by limiting their use of the disposable products.

"The best solution would be for students to bring their own mugs and containers," Hanna said.

The construction also places more demands on the kitchen staff, who have to wash trays by hand and carry out more trash.

"It's just an inconvenience you have to deal with during the renovation," said Corey Lehman (senior-architectural engineering), a dining commons employee.

Construction was originally scheduled for last summer, but was postponed when students objected to plans to close part of the dining area during the spring, Decker said.

Under the current schedule, most of the renovations will take place during the summer, when Waring Dining Commons is closed, Decker said.

It may become necessary to close half of the commons this spring anyway to ensure the contractor can complete the construction for the scheduled August opening, said Lisa Wandel, associate director of Food Service.

If that happens, the dining commons would consider offering carry-out meals or extending service hours, Wandel said.

"The worst thing would be coming back in August . . . and not having a place to eat," Wandel said.