WSA learns more about the Davis dining renovation

Judy Gipper, director of Dining Services at Western Michigan University spoke at the Western Student Association meeting on Wednesday evening. She spoke about efforts taken towards sustainability with examples like compostable lunch trays. (Thomas Doherty/Western Herald)

By Megan Higdon
Western Herald

Wednesday’s Western Student Association meeting started off with a topic that just about everyone likes to talk about — food.

Judy Gipper, director of Dining Services, spoke with WSA about the Farmer’s Market in Kalamazoo, recycling, and the Davis Dining Hall renovation.

Gipper explained that Dining Services received tremendous feedback from students when locally grown foods were served in the cafeteria during a few days at the beginning of the school year.

The food served was grown on local farms and Dining Services even picked up the food from the farms themselves. Gipper also talked about recycling initiatives on campus.

“We are hoping to promote the ‘EcoMug’ more, we didn’t have as much impact as we could have had,” she said.

Gipper also informed attendees that the use of Styrofoam cups was down across campus and that they will no longer give out plastic bags in carryout.

The Davis Dining Hall renovation was the highlight of the discussion.

Gipper provided a 3D view of what the university has planned for renovations, including a full floor plan and what the hall will look like.

“I think it is really cool the way it will be set up,” said Julio Linares of Sigma Lambda Beta. “And I think they will make a change to healthier foods, because that is the main thing they want to change.”

Dining Services plan to provide more freshly prepared foods in front of guests as well as special new items. Smoothies, malts and individual pizzas are just a few that were discussed.

Gipper spoke about deli ovens and the dish room being much more efficient and decreasing the use of water, and it will also be placed behind a wall like in Bigelow.

“I have always been concerned with having the dishwashing in front of the guests while they are eating,” Gipper said.

A variety of seating will be available such as booths, tables, and individual seating and there will be a fireplace in the center of the hall after the renovation is complete.

However, cost is always an issue.

WSA members were curious as to where the funding for the new dining hall will come from.

“We have the money for the renovations, it comes from the fees students pay on campus, and I’m not anticipating any increase in the fees,” Gipper said.

For more information on the new dining hall, visit www.wmich.edu/dining/davis.

Also during the meeting, the College of Arts and Sciences Senator Matt Lafleur was appointed as a chair to the Ad-Hoc Committee on College Senator Leadership.

Orientation leaders Christine Davenport and Robert Haas also spoke with WSA about applying to be an orientation student leader, and/or First-Year Seminar Leader. Information nights are Thursday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 204 in the Bernhard Center, and Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. in the President’s Dining Room in the Bernhard Center. Applications can be found at www.wmich.edu/fye and are due by Dec. 18.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=12164

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Nov 18 2009. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com