By Dani Smith
Over the past several years the complaints surrounding food services on Belknap campus were primarily three-fold: not enough options, too few locations, and too few hours.
When bringing the new dining service Sodexo to campus, the Student Government Association and faculty members alike made sure these issues were resolved.
Sodexo’s mission statement alone, promises to address each of these concerns: “To create a more vibrant campus community through larger variety, more locations and longer hours of operation.”
Sodexo has come to campus with excellent improvements to U of L’s dining on the short and long term time scale.
Currently, The Terrace dining area has new and different options to offer, including Global Market which offers a rotating menu.
Freshens, located in the bottom level of the Student Activities Center has smoothies and soft serve ice-cream. Halftime Grill has a variety of alternatives to eat throughout the week with brunch offered everyday.
In the future there are plans for adding more diversity among eating options.
For example, Jazzman’s, a coffee bar and cyber café, will open this October, McAlister’s is opening in January, Damon’s is coming next August, and by 2010 University Tower Apartments will house a dining facility with a variety of options.
To reduce long lines and limited locations, food is sold near some classrooms. Café a la Carte locations have been added in Davidson and Miller IT.
Einstein Bros. will be in the Humanities building next year.
There’s also a mobile food solution, café cab, with a route through campus that offers prepackaged food options, such as sandwiches and granola bars.
Dining hours have also increased, and will continue to be monitored, to make sure certain students have dining options available when needed.
Student Government Association has worked closely with the University of Louisville ensuring student representation throughout the process.
SGA continues to keep close contact with the Director of University of Louisville Dining Services, Matti Verder.
Students’ input is imperative to the betterment of the University of Louisville.
Suggestions are always welcomed.
There will be Q & A sessions hosted by Sodexo held Wednesday, September 3, at 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in Humanities and again Thursday, September 4, at 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the SAC Multi-Purpose Room.
-Dani Smith
SGA Services Vice-President
