Administrators and architects are currently planning a construction project set to improve the dining hall and other areas of the Woodworth Complex, As a result of the work taking place in the building, Woodworth dining hall will be closed until Fall 2007.
Director of Residence Halls Dining Service Ann Talley said that planning for the new dining hall not only depends on the budget, it is also tied in to the construction of a new residence hall in the former location of the tennis courts north of DeHority Complex.
“As in life we have to live according to our needs,” Talley said. “There are lots of things that are being tentatively planned, but until the bids for the residence hall project are in, we can’t determine the plan. Part of what we can do is contingent on the residence hall. There’s enough of a relationship where the cost of one may affect the other.”
Greg Graham, assistant director of facilities planning and management, said that even though the dining hall is closed, that does not mean the makeover is near completion - a project this size needs a great deal of planning.
“We haven’t established a time frame for actual construction to begin,” Graham said. “It’s probably going to be winter or spring, but those plans have not been finalized yet ... It was pretty doubtful it would start this summer, so there’s no delay.”
While the plans for the construction have not been finalized, Graham said that they have decided on an area for the improved dining hall to grow into to help accommodate its increase in size.
“Part of the current planning involves additions,” Graham said. “What’s been looked at is an expansion of the dining area on the east side of the area.”
New additions aside, the dining area is also being upgraded to help accommodate students that will be living in the new residence hall.
“Servery is the driving force behind this,” Graham said. “We’re getting ready to construct a 500-bed residence hall across from Woodworth. Noyer couldn’t handle all those students alone.”
Because of the Woodworth closing, students are being redirected to other campus dining halls for their meals. Not only has this resulted in an increase in the amount of registers in many dining halls, it has also created the need for dining halls to extend their hours.
Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Housing and Residence Life Alan Hargrave said that he has heard few complaints from students due to the closing.
“I had two students complain before school began,” Hargrave said. “But I have heard very few complaints about it. They’re excited that things are improving.”
Talley said while the dining hall is closed students should consider dining in other areas around campus, and waiting until off-times outside of traditional dining hours to grab a bite to eat because of the increased number of student customers. Talley also said that students may see increased wait times if they wait to get food just before a dining area closes.
Closing the dining hall has also created some minor issues for Residence Halls Dining Service employees. Since the closing, Woodworth employees have been placed in positions all around the school.
“Eighty percent of our workforce are learning new jobs,” Talley said. “The managers are all on the floor making sure food is getting made, and people are being served with the speed and quality they expect.”
Once the dining hall reopens, the dining hall jobs will be posted and up for bids from former employees.
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