The Commons is gearing up for changes, updates to be ready next fall
By Elizabeth Tertadian
Imagine walking into The Commons and seeing multiple food stations, each with its own check-out, delicious food, a fireplace and new seating.
Next fall, students will be greeted with a brand new Commons and food system. On Friday, Nov. 6, the new wing of The Commons was blessed, marking the completion of part one of a two-stage revamp of The Commons.
Now, Bon Appétit and the University look ahead to what is next for The Commons - a complete renovation of its interior. This renovation has been on the books since the start of the project, and will propel UP into its new meal plan system for next year.
"We're treating it like a brand-new opening," said Bon Appétit Manager Kirk Mustain.
The renovation will begin the day after graduation, and continue through the summer in order to be ready to serve students in the fall.
Currently, the project is in its final planning stages, and Mustain is working alongside the University and the CEO of Bon Appétit on the new vision for The Commons.
They are revisiting proposed concepts and deciding which fits best. From new menus and pricing, to the hours of operation and overall dining style, The Commons will look and feel much different next fall.
According to Executive Vice President the Rev. Tom Doyle, C.S.C., the reasons behind renovating The Commons are to provide better food, better service and a better space for students.
The new layout will reflect the declining balance program, which UP plans to implement next fall. The declining balances system will replace the current meal plan options, and students will pay per food item instead of per meal.
The idea is for students to buy food with points, as they can now at The Cove.
Mustian envisions a "food-court-type situation," where there will be seven to eight food type options.
Proposed stations include a pasta bar, soup and salad bar, wok, pizza, and panini and sandwich bar, among others. Additionally, there will be a coffee station with late night baristas.
"It has been really well thought out. Now we're just tweaking things," Mustain said.
The goal is for The Commons to become more of a hangout spot, with late-night pizza and possibly a fireplace.
The possibility of partitioning off the space into sections with movable walls will make it easy to create lounge areas and other spaces for students.
"The Commons needs to be more than a stopping and filling station," said Doyle. "It is a place to grow in friendship and community."
The new layout will reflect the administration's goal of making The Commons more than just a dining space.
Bon Appétit and the University hope it will become something like a student center where students and faculty can interact, and that the new layout and dining concept will cut down on long lines and serve students more effectively.
Similar to The Cove, some stations will open while others will shut down depending on the flow of students throughout the day.
Currently, Bon Appétit is taking counts of the number of students using The Commons at different times in the day, seeing which hours get the most traffic.
They will use the results to help decide when to open stations so students get fresh food.
"I'm very excited. We all are," Doyle said.
He sees the completed Commons as a social space where students can partake in a delightful meal experience.
The new wing of The Commons, will remain primarily a dining area for students, at least initially.
"We're still trying to establish the new room," said Mustain.
His main goal is to not impede student dining in any way, so events such as the Villa Man Auction will occur outside dining hours.
According to Bill Reed, director of special events, the University plans to try to do more and more events there. Over breaks and during the summer, weddings will take place there, as well as other events hosted by the community and alumni.
"We need to learn more about the space and live with it for a year," Reed said.
The new Commons is set up with wireless Internet, computer plugs and a brand-new stereo system.
Various clubs will use it as a new way to reach students, such as showing movies during dinner. According to Reed, the space's use should be driven by UP students.
"It's your space, but we'll use it when you're gone," he said.
