<\/p>\n
In response to fiscally challenging times, UT has made a change in residence dining service at the Crossings.<\/p>\n
The change will yield a savings of approximately $400,000, which contributes to a campus-wide effort to balance UT\u2019s budget as state funding has decreased.<\/p>\n
The dining hall in the Crossings, one of the least utilized on Main Campus, previously offered an all-you-can-eat format similar to halls in International House, Ottawa House, Parks Tower and South Dining Hall in the Student Union.<\/p>\n
A new eaterie, iCrave Pizza at the Crossings, will open Sunday and feature pizza, sandwiches, snacks and cookies daily from 6 p.m. to midnight.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt became apparent we had to do something after the state\u2019s last budget came out,\u201d said David Wahr, interim director of auxiliary enterprises.<\/p>\n
During a town hall meeting earlier this month, President Lloyd Jacobs stated that $8 million must be trimmed from UT\u2019s current budget to offset further funding cuts from the state of Ohio. According to Dr. Kaye Patten Wallace, vice president for student affairs, the $400,000 savings is equivalent to five full-time positions, including salary and benefits.<\/p>\n
\u201cClearly, we were concerned because this change impacts our students,\u201d Patten Wallace said. \u201cIn making this decision, we sought students\u2019 feedback through several different methods. We\u2019re really appreciative of the student support and understanding we received as we addressed this issue together.\u201d<\/p>\n
UT staff, she said, worked closely with Student Government, met with residence advisers, sent e-mails to members of the Student Dining Committee and the Resident Student Association, and discussed the situation during a \u201cStudents Speak\u201d forum in late July.<\/p>\n
A posting on UT\u2019s Division of Student Affairs’ Facebook page solicited 30 responses.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe heard two major themes,\u201d Patten Wallace said. \u201cIf we moved from the all-you-can-eat option, there needed to be some type of dining option available at the Crossings. Students also wanted to be able to use their meal swipes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Access to meals later in the evening was a frequent request.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new venue is available from 6 at night to midnight,\u201d Patten Wallace said. \u201cThe former dining hall at the Crossings closed at 8, so this gives students four additional hours to get a good meal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Students also were concerned about the seating capacity in the dining hall at Ottawa House.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudents already thought Ottawa House was crowded around dinner time during the weekends,\u201d Wahr noted. \u201cWe\u2019ve added 50 seats to Ottawa\u2019s dining hall and will look for opportunities to add more seating.\u201d<\/p>\n
In all, Wahr said seating capacity will increase by about 160.<\/p>\n
Students will receive e-mails notifying them of the Crossings conversion. During fall semester, focus groups also will be conducted to gather ongoing feedback.<\/p>\n
Patten Wallace added that the change did not eliminate Aramark employee positions or student positions within UT\u2019s dining services.<\/p>\n
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