Staff WriterThe re-opening of the University Union's mini-mall marked the beginning of another construction project on the Binghamton University campus this semester as the Hinman Dining Hall closed for renovation, to be re-opened next fall.
Deemed Mini-Mall Hall, the temporary dining hall's menu has been spiced up with a few additions in order to attract displaced Hinman residents to the seemingly remote locale.
"I think that the new offerings like the paninis, made it to entice students and make up for that they have to travel further," said Shani Silverman, a junior psychology major.
"I think that's a great idea," said Rissa Edwards, an employee, about offering new items like paninis. "I like the paninis. They seem to be selling very well."
Another addition to the Hinman dining experience is a cookies and cream station that features Otis Spunkmeyer cookies and Ben and Jerry's ice cream. "It's nice that they have the cookies and cream thing," said Susan Reed, a sophomore math major.
Ryan Klang, a sophomore business major had a similar opinion: "It's really great and I like the cookies."
"They wanted to give that to us to kind of raise spirits," said Hinman College Council President Jordan Peck, of the new paninis. "Those are delicious."
Students have mixed opinions about the convenience of the new dining hall. Optimists point out that although it is far from the Hinman dorms, it is in a central location relative to most classes.
I don't think it's that inconvenient, depending on where your classes are," Silverman said.
Reed agreed. "It's convenient where it is," she said. "We came from class," Klang explained as he and Reed dined at the new facility.
Even students from other residential communities find the location a plus. John Adams, a freshman computer science major, said, "We don't even live in Hinman. It was closer to our last class."
However, for Priya Devaya, a graduate student, the old Hinman dining hall was more convenient since "everything is so spread out, and it is so far away from the School of Management."
Brian Nelson, also a graduate student, agreed. "It's definitely a pain to walk here," he said, but he also pointed out that "they have new sandwiches."
Although there is a demand for a shuttle exclusive to Hinman students, Peck said that the idea is not logistically possible. Instead, "they added an extra stop on the regular campus shuttle right behind the old dining hall," Peck said.
The shuttle is supposed to come every 15 minutes, but it is not a perfect system. "They really don't have access to it. We really don't have an exact schedule," said Peck. "That's something that will work out over time," he added.
Some students aren't yet privy to the service. "Weren't there supposed to be shuttle buses from Hinman to here?" asked Linda Calderon, a sophomore biology major.
Caution tape circles the island of food stations, and matching yellow and black signs mark each of the distinctive food stations. "We tried to have some fun, lighten it up a little bit," said Sodexho general manager, Paul Kerns. He said that construction site themed decorations were added as a spoof on the real construction going on.
In terms of complaints, both Kerns and Peck said that students want easier access to water, which currently can only be obtained by waiting in the regular food line. Peck said that water fountains are being considered as a solution.
Students also preferred the old dining hall method of paying for everything at once, instead of at separate stations.
"The real problem people have is that you have to pay at every station," said Peck.
The old Hinman Dining Hall is being renovated in order to accommodate increased dining traffic anticipated after the opening of the new Mountainview Community next year. Construction of the Mountainview Dining Hall will not yet be complete at that time, and residents of the fledging community will have to use Hinman's facilities.
"It [the old Hinman Dining Hall] just wasn't set up for the style of service that we provide today or for the future," said Kerns.
Despite rumors, theft problems did not contribute to the decision to renovate the facility. "I guess I hadn't even thought of that," said Kerns. "I'm not even sure theft was on the list," he said.
Peck had a similar explanation. "The main reason is just that it was an old dining hall. That's a side effect that they're getting rid of theft."
Decreasing theft may have been unintentional, but it is happening. "It's done away with because we've got cash counters at every stall," said Subramanian Ramachandran, a master's candidate in computer science who is employed at the dining hall.
"Everybody's got a register-makes it easier," said Edwards, explaining that there is less theft now. "I've seen a few people take off with trays full of food," she said about the old dining hall.
Like the students, the employees have mixed feelings about the new dining hall. "For me, it's easier because I have my own little section," said Edwards.
Ramachandran agreed, saying, "It's pretty good, the food's better. It's kind of more spacious than it was last time." He added, "The transition was smooth. The management's great. They're doing a good job. They were around helping us the first day."
Apparently, the feeling is mutual. Kerns was very enthusiastic in his praise of "Jason and his team," as he put it, referring to Hinman Dining Hall Manager Jason Swartz and the employees. "I'd like to pat them on the back. They have really done a nice job doing their best to learn a new system."
Still, employees noted the lack of convenient parking. "The one thing I don't like is the parking. There's no parking for employees," said Edwards.
Fellow employee Brian Spear also had a problem with the parking situation. "You got to park up on the hill and you got to walk down."
Students are reminded of the old dining hall by a display of poster sized photographs showing the progress of the construction. The new Hinman Dining Hall is due for completion by fall 2003.
