University plans to renovate student center
By MEGHANNE DOWNES
News Writer
In recent years students have been asked to feel out surveys regarding their levels of satisfaction with the food services that are provided on campus, and finally the suggestions for improvement are being answered as there are plans to offer new restaurants in LaFortune.
"I am really excited about this addition because students can say their input led directly to these improvements. It was their responses on student government and food services surveys that led to this decision," said Brooke Norton, student body president.
Since last spring, the Office of Food Services in conjunction with the Offices of Student Activities and Affairs have been talking with and searching for restaurants to replace Allegro and Tomassito's. Work is already in progress to transform the former Alumni Room into a Starbucks.
"I think if the new restaurants are well advertised it will work," said junior Lindsey Horvath. "I don't think Allegro and Tomassito's are well advertised. Anyone can go to Burger King at any time, but Allegro has funky hours which I was never sure of."
According to Dave Prentkowski, director of food services, the initiative behind making the changes in the restaurant services at LaFortune was driven by a survey that analyzed student dissatisfaction.
"Working with student affairs we were looking at LaFortune and we wanted to know what kind of things can we do in LaFortune to enhance the service," said Prentkowski.
In the spring of 2001, faculty, staff and student focus groups to discuss how service could be improved were held. According to Prentkowski, there was an overwhelming interest in Starbucks.
"We wanted to attract customers from all walks of life to interact and we made the decision to bring in an operation that would be attractive beyond the typical meal periods," he said. "Starbuck's name percolated to the top."
Over Christmas break, remodeling began in order to accommodate Starbucks and it is anticipated that it will open in April. Operating hours are still to be determined, but Prentkowski said that it will most likely be open until the early hours of the morning.
"I liked studying in the Alumni room and I am disappointed that they are replacing it with Starbucks because of the location and there are already coffee shops on campus," said freshman Katie Kurowski.
While Kurowski opposes the addition of Starbucks to campus, not all students feel the same way.
"I think putting a Starbucks in LaFortune is a great idea. With the amount of traffic that goes through LaFortune every day, attempting to study there is difficult as it is. So, in my opinion, why not improve the social atmosphere of the student center even if it means sacrificing a little space that some say could be used for studying," said freshman Andy Rutz.
Besides providing the typical Starbucks products of coffee and pastry items, a new line of Starbucks products consisting of salads and sandwiches will be offered.
Prentkowski said that after evaluating the surveys and the student lounge in the basement of LaFortune it was decided that the area needed to be a more desirable student space. In addition, an Italian and pizza dining area was appealing.
Students had mixed opinions about the quality of the food offered in LaFortune.
"Burgers greasy. Pizza greasy. Mexican food greasy. We need healthy food," said freshman Andrea Brault.
Another possible addition that Notre Dame is currently in conversation with is Sbarro. Together they are developing a program and budget to see if it is feasible for Sbarro to open a restaurant on campus. Sbarro offers pizza and Italian dishes.
With the likelihood of an Italian restaurant opening in the basement, a Mexican restaurant will probably replace Tomassito's. Prentkowski has been in contact with a handful of Mexican restaurants and has conducted taste tests. The most favorable results were the food selections from Eddie Peppers.
"I have never heard of Eddie Peppers, and I think that Taco Bell would be far superior. If there were a Taco Bell on campus, my life would be complete. From an economic standpoint it is my belief that a Mexican restaurant would produce far more revenue than Tomassito's," said freshman Greg Kuhl.
However, freshman Bianca Cardiel had a different opinion and said, "It's going to be fake Mexican food. I love Allegro because subs are a healthy alternative."
The processes of bringing in and searching for these new restaurants has been complicated because of business issues regarding whether it is possible for the restaurant to develop on campus because of preexisting franchise relationships. All of the restaurants would accept both flex point and domer dollars and be owned and operated by Notre Dame, similar to a franchise agreement.
In addition to expanding and modifying the food services at LaFortune, students can purchase smoothies and pizza in the Coleman Morse Center on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Campus Ministry proposed this idea to the office of Food Services last spring in order to provide students with another opportunity for socialization. The snack bar opened last Thursday and after its first weekend of operation.
"Returns were respectable but it has a long way to go. But we didn't do any promotion on purpose because we wanted to see how it would work. It has the opportunity to grow significantly," Prentkowski said.
All News Stories for Wednesday, January 23, 2002
