HUB patrons hunger for extended night hours

By TRACY WILSON
Collegian Staff Writer

Night owl HUB-goers are finding themselves hungrier for food variety and accommodations this year after cutbacks in eateries and hours at HUB Late Night.

The Undergraduate Student Government plans to petition HUB Late Night for expanded seating and to open another eatery, said Town Senator Tom Donohoe.

Last year, the Cellar remained open until 3 a.m., but it now closes at 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 7 p.m. on weekends. Chat's coffee shop is now open until 2 a.m. seven days a week, making it the only HUB eatery open after 10 p.m., said Barry Scerbo, director of Food Services.

Chat's was chosen to stay open because the Cellar is desolate by 8 or 9 p.m., said David Gingher, assistant director of Food Services.

"All the sales have been (at Chat's). Students wanted a coffee bar and it's been successful," Gingher said.

Once HUB construction is completed this summer, hours will be extended for the Cellar, which will have a Sbarro national chain pizzeria and a sub shop with a Joe Paterno theme, Scerbo said.

The cutback in hours is due to construction and greater cost effectiveness, said John Harlow, assistant director of student activities and HUB late night coordinator.

"It's a temporary area through construction, but we've made the best of the situation to make (HUB late night) programs work. The Cellar holds more students but for the number of students in the HUB now, the service available is OK," he said.

At first, students complained about Chat's limited menu of pastries and coffee but prepackaged sandwiches have been added to accommodate requests for more variety, Harlow said.

Even with additions to the menu, some students said they would like more options from which to choose.

"Union Street should be open later because you can get more of a meal there," Dennis Bissig (sophomore-kinesiology) said.

The Union Street area is gated off after hours, limiting seating to the areas in front of Chat's and across from Barney's convenience store.

"More seating would help because it's always crowded since the HUB is the best place to meet for group projects," Stephanie Wood (freshman-political science and economics) said.

An experiment to open more seating and one more eatery for the week of midterms is being proposed by USG, Donohoe said.

Last semester, students found seating areas at the HUB eateries too crowded during exam weeks, he said.

However, other students rely on other campus eateries.

"If I'm going to eat at night, I am going to eat in the dining hall," Caroline Gilfoil (sophomore-English) said. "Many residence halls have snack bars, but for those not living in dorms, it might be inconvenient."