As Redifer Commons undergoes renovations to increase its size and introduce a wider variety of services, students in South Halls have become increasingly frustrated with the inconveniences of construction.

Lisa Wandel, associate director of food services, said they tried to limit the number of students affected by the renovation by increasing the construction during the spring semester, when fewer students are on campus.

"Our options were not to do any renovations, or combine services to give space to construction," Wandel said. "We can't complete a massive project in just the summer -- this is something that takes time."

Wandel said the introduction of new students to Eastview Terrace this fall, along with the lack of renovations to Redifer Commons in more than 12 years, led to the decision to build a larger commons in South Halls.

"Students always say how they love Waring Square, and the new Redifer Commons will be even better," Wandel said. "There will be a bakery for fresh muffins and cookies, along with a smoothie station, deli area, Mongolian-style grill and many other new services that will give students everything they could want."

Once complete, the new Redifer Commons will also offer a TV and data port area for students with additional seating and furniture, as well as extended hours.

"There is currently no meeting space for students in Redifer, however, the remodeled Redifer will offer students a place to hang out as well as a dining commons," Wandel said.

Although the new commons will help facilitate the increasing number of students and offer several new services, some students in South Halls, including Cross Hall resident Ashley Harris (freshman-political science), said they believe building a new commons is not worth the hassle.

"It's angering so many students because we have lost all direct routes to the commons and downtown, and we also wake up to the sounds of construction each morning," Harris said.

While construction in Redifer has formed new problems for South Halls residents, Shauna Blackmon (sophomore-premedicine), who lives in Cooper Hall, said she believes the completion of a new commons is well worth the trouble.

"The commons needed to change," Blackmon said. "It looked really bad and seemed incomplete compared to the other commons areas around campus."

Susan Santos, Redifer dining commons assistant manager, said Redifer has begun to offer take-out containers to accommodate students since there is less seating available during construction.

"We really haven't had any complaints from students since we had to decrease the amount of seating, but students can simply go to other dining commons nearby," Santos said.

Kristine Cornejo (freshman-premedicine), a Cooper Hall resident, said she thinks building a new commons is not necessary.

"I thought the commons looked fine," Cornejo said. "Now, only half of the commons is available to us, and no one really wants to use the take-out containers."

Although constructing a new commons has bothered many students in South Halls, Wandel said she believes that once complete, the remodeled Redifer Commons will be well worth the trouble.

"Change is difficult for many people, but students who are inconvenienced now will understand in the fall when they see how great the new commons is," she said.