2008 Woodie Awards
New and welcome changes at Downer
Kayla Wilson
Issue date: 9/22/06 Section: News
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Downer has undergone several changes this year, the most notable of these being the implementation of continuous dining and the extension of serving hours by half an hour.
The brainchild of Patrick Niles, Director of Dining Services, this new policy means that Monday through Thursday, Downer is open from 7:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., and from 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Weekend hours will remain unchanged.
The new hours are largely due to this year's new class schedule, which allows students to take classes throughout that day, potentially causing them to miss lunch. Additionally, classes end later than in previous years, extending students' workdays and pushing back music rehearsals and athletic practices.
Changing the hours at Downer will make eating more convenient for students, which is exactly what Niles aims to do. When asked why he instituted the change he replied, "We could do it and we felt like we needed to. We are trying to provide the best service possible to students."
Conservatory students agree that this new policy will make life easier for them. Sophomore Stephen Flynn said, "It will benefit me [from needing] to rush to dinner before rehearsal because I hate eating early. Now I'll be able to eat after rehearsal, which is more civilized."
Even students outside of athletics and the conservatory are singing the praises of continuous dining. Sophomore Alex Bunke feels that "the new continuous dining feature really raises the convenience bar to a level that LU students have not see since …well, ever." Bunke hopes that continuous dining will be a permanent change.
Niles, who is beginning his second year in his position, has implemented many other changes over the summer. Acknowledging that dining services at Lawrence have had a bad reputation in the past, he hopes that these modifications will help to turn that around.
For starters, there will be more vegetarian choices, with a vegetarian entrée offered at Lucinda's during all meal times.
The brainchild of Patrick Niles, Director of Dining Services, this new policy means that Monday through Thursday, Downer is open from 7:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., and from 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Weekend hours will remain unchanged.
The new hours are largely due to this year's new class schedule, which allows students to take classes throughout that day, potentially causing them to miss lunch. Additionally, classes end later than in previous years, extending students' workdays and pushing back music rehearsals and athletic practices.
Changing the hours at Downer will make eating more convenient for students, which is exactly what Niles aims to do. When asked why he instituted the change he replied, "We could do it and we felt like we needed to. We are trying to provide the best service possible to students."
Conservatory students agree that this new policy will make life easier for them. Sophomore Stephen Flynn said, "It will benefit me [from needing] to rush to dinner before rehearsal because I hate eating early. Now I'll be able to eat after rehearsal, which is more civilized."
Even students outside of athletics and the conservatory are singing the praises of continuous dining. Sophomore Alex Bunke feels that "the new continuous dining feature really raises the convenience bar to a level that LU students have not see since …well, ever." Bunke hopes that continuous dining will be a permanent change.
Niles, who is beginning his second year in his position, has implemented many other changes over the summer. Acknowledging that dining services at Lawrence have had a bad reputation in the past, he hopes that these modifications will help to turn that around.
For starters, there will be more vegetarian choices, with a vegetarian entrée offered at Lucinda's during all meal times.
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