By Kaylyn Pageot
As we welcome back the new school year, the Greensboro College’s Cafeteria staff has announced they will be getting some serious upgrades. These upgrades have left GC students and staff with a lot to talk about – from what upgrades we will be getting to the way the funds were used. This article will give you all the information you need about the upgrades, from background details to the most recent debates on the funds. To start off, here is some background information on the upgrades from Bob Blake, Dining Services Manager.
Many students had questions about why the funds could not be used anywhere else in the school.
“The renovations are being done through an investment made by Chartwells, the food service provider for Greensboro College. The total amount is one million dollars,” Blake stated about the donation.
This means that the funds were given to the cafeteria and not the school as a whole.
“There will be all new flooring and a new pizza station,” Blake said about specific upgrades. “All stations will receive new cabinetry and counter tops, new lighting in the dining area, a new paint job, Greensboro College specific graphics throughout the dining hall, and stations will receive new equipment.”
“While the current dining hall ‘gets the job done,’ we wanted to create an atmosphere that is centered on the student; a place they can be proud of.”
“The plan is to begin the renovation in late November and have it completed by the start of the spring semester.”
This means that after winter break students will be receiving the best Christmas gift of all, a new and improved cafeteria.
“Adam Shaw, sophomore theatre education major, is looking forward to the upgrades. “I’m super excited for the cafe renovations! I think whatever investment into our community life we can make is positive for the school as a whole,” said Shaw.”
Although most people love something brand new, not everyone has the same opinions about the cafeteria.
“The funds could have been utilized to address the time conflicts the cafeteria has with the students,” said Jessa Beard, sophomore Theatre major, about where she believed the funds could have been used.
“Although their are certain options for students like the green boxes offered by the cafeteria, its still hard to make it to the cafeteria to fill up your green box. I believe the funds could have been utilized to hire a staff team that can help keep the kitchen open for longer or maybe to invest in a grab and go area outside the cafeteria.”
“They should have given students a way to decide on where we thought the money was spent,” said Sydney Patton, junior Business Administration and Economics major, explaining how most students feel about the upgrades. “We are the ones who have to eat the food the majority of the time, so not having a say in the matter is why some students are not happy about the upgrades.”
Although students and staff may not agree on everything when it comes to the cafeteria upgrades, most can not hide their anticipation for the upcoming changes to the cafe. Will the upgrades help give the students a “place they can feel proud of” or are there still things the cafeteria will need to do to accomplish their goals? Keep up with any and all updates with the cafeteria through The Collegian.
