With the foundation laid and the four-story elevator shaft of the new HUB being built, everybody knew this semester would be full of adjustments. One of the most impactful for students has been dining.
To accommodate for the construction of the elevator shaft, The Star saw the loss of 24 tables, 12 booths, and 12 two-top tables. To maximize seating in the available space, seats were repositioned to accommodate as many tables as possible.
The lost seating will soon return to the dining hall as construction of the elevator shaft nears completion. A temporary wall will be installed during the week of Sept. 23 to allow for the temporary wall to be dismantled. Flooring will also be laid and furniture reset in this area after Fall Break (Oct. 5 – Oct. 8).
In the meantime, students can find supplemental seating under the tents outside of John Makuvek Field and the Jo Smith dorm building. Once the seats return to The Star, the tents will be dismantled.
If students want to dine outdoors, they can purchase a Green-2-Go container to pack food from The Star and walk it over to the tents.
These Green-2-Go containers will continue to serve the student body during and after construction for those who wish to dine elsewhere on campus or who cannot find seating in The Star.
In his State of the University Address at Family Day on Sept. 14, President Bryon Grigsby discussed the plan to continue utilizing the containers when the new HUB opens. With the new seating areas being built in the HUB, Grigsby said he anticipates that students will want to continue using the Green2Go containers to take their meals to other areas of the building, rather than eating in The Star.
Students interested in using the Green-2-Go containers can opt into the program by making a one-time purchase of a reusable container from Clewell or The Star. Three containers are available: a large for $6, a medium for $5, and a tumbler for $2. A set of all three costs $12. The containers can be purchased using a credit/debit card, Dining Dollars, or HoundBucks.
Students fill their containers for the cost of a meal swipe. Once they are finished with the container, they should rinse it out before returning it to either dining hall. Students will then trade their container for a fresh one or receive a redemption card. The card can be presented the next time they need a container.
Students can opt out of the program at any time by returning their redemption card or container and being refunded the cost of the container.
While The Star said goodbye to seats to start the semester, it did welcome new food options, including a pasta station. Dining Services will also host themed nights, health and wellness events, pop-ups, and outdoor markets.
Another change this semester is the operational hours of the Hungry Hound Express. Last semester, the truck operated two days per week. Now, it will be open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The truck is located by the outdoor tents.
Currently, there are no anticipated disruptions to the operation of the Blue and Grey Café, according to Stacey Cesanek, Dining’s general manager.
If students do not wish to dine in The Star or B&G during construction, they can head over to DeLight’s Café, Clewell dining hall on South campus, and the food truck.
