2008 Woodie Awards
Mellers makes all-around changes
Inga Locke
Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Returning students may have noticed the visible changes in their day to day dinning experiences. This past summer Mellers Dinning Commons went through several cosmetic changes as well as many menu changes.
The most obvious change is the move of pizza from the Cat Snack to Mellers Dining Commons.
This provides more students with the option of eating unlimited amounts of pizza. While there is a rule of two slices at a time, any student is able to return to the line as often as they wish.
"Pizza is a food segment with young people in our society that has remained a constant and will continue to remain a constant," said Dennis Owens, director of food services. "We felt as though we were limiting ourselves by limiting the student's intake of pizza".
Pizza is the biggest food venue in universities around the country. They are trying to keep the pizza area interesting by offering specialty pizzas. Suggestions are strongly encouraged. Mellers hopes to begin offering dessert pizzas soon.
The strongest growing venue in universities is the grab and go concept, which Owens has also addressed. The first stage has been initiated by providing students with selections like pre-made wraps and salads as well as sack lunches.
"We didn't want to leave a vacuum in the Cat Snack when we moved the pizza, and I feel as though we have done a good job of filling the vacuum with the grab and go options," said Owens.
The amount of students eating at the Cat Snack has remained at the same level as last year.
Also Mellers Dining Commons has been trying to improve the quality of food they serve.
The cost of the meal plan went up this semester.
That has been used to provide students with a better quality of food.
Students are being provided with more solid meats at every meal and fewer casserole type options. Every breakfast includes a solid meat.
"Home Zone is staying more true to its name this semester in offering more comfort foods to the students," said Owens. "Foods that a student would find at home".
World Beat is offering primarily more ethnic options in its food selection.
The addition of Asian food has been popular. The burrito bar is offered to students at least once weekly.
The breakfast area has been moved and cleaned up, and has a new waffle mix dispenser.
There have also been new lights and a new ceiling added. New carpet is to be installed within the next few weeks.
So far the renovations have cost about $40,000. The money for the new carpet was recently donated allowing it to be installed sooner than expected.
The most obvious change is the move of pizza from the Cat Snack to Mellers Dining Commons.
This provides more students with the option of eating unlimited amounts of pizza. While there is a rule of two slices at a time, any student is able to return to the line as often as they wish.
"Pizza is a food segment with young people in our society that has remained a constant and will continue to remain a constant," said Dennis Owens, director of food services. "We felt as though we were limiting ourselves by limiting the student's intake of pizza".
Pizza is the biggest food venue in universities around the country. They are trying to keep the pizza area interesting by offering specialty pizzas. Suggestions are strongly encouraged. Mellers hopes to begin offering dessert pizzas soon.
The strongest growing venue in universities is the grab and go concept, which Owens has also addressed. The first stage has been initiated by providing students with selections like pre-made wraps and salads as well as sack lunches.
"We didn't want to leave a vacuum in the Cat Snack when we moved the pizza, and I feel as though we have done a good job of filling the vacuum with the grab and go options," said Owens.
The amount of students eating at the Cat Snack has remained at the same level as last year.
Also Mellers Dining Commons has been trying to improve the quality of food they serve.
The cost of the meal plan went up this semester.
That has been used to provide students with a better quality of food.
Students are being provided with more solid meats at every meal and fewer casserole type options. Every breakfast includes a solid meat.
"Home Zone is staying more true to its name this semester in offering more comfort foods to the students," said Owens. "Foods that a student would find at home".
World Beat is offering primarily more ethnic options in its food selection.
The addition of Asian food has been popular. The burrito bar is offered to students at least once weekly.
The breakfast area has been moved and cleaned up, and has a new waffle mix dispenser.
There have also been new lights and a new ceiling added. New carpet is to be installed within the next few weeks.
So far the renovations have cost about $40,000. The money for the new carpet was recently donated allowing it to be installed sooner than expected.
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