AIC’s new eating spot

AICs new eating spot

Emily Hogan, Staff writer

“Where do the students eat? How is the food? Are the meals nutritious?”

All of these are commonly asked questions by prospective college students and their parents. At American International College, we are currently at a loss of words when asked these questions.

The college is going through a $16 million renovation that is being split with the Chartwell catering company to improve the dining commons. The renovations are already under way in hopes to be done for this coming fall semester. Therefor, students have to eat at an alternative location this semester, which has caused mixed reviews.

“I so badly wish that they could have just done it over the summer so that we could have come back to see it complete,” said one football player at AIC.

The temporary Dining Commons is located upstairs at the Schwarz Campus Center.
The temporary Dining Commons is located upstairs at the Schwarz Campus Center.

The new Dining Commons is going to be much larger than it was in the past. It will also include more food stations such as a gluten free section and a “fresh market”.

The new facility will be two floors: a dining hall on the main floor and then below will be a student lounge and an updated Stinger Pub.

For now, though, students and faculty are limited to a restricting space in the Bradley Room and Campus Center Auditorium. Some students have said they like the cozy feel where as others feel as though they are too cramped.

“The spacing is tight. During prime meal times it is hard to find a place to eat. At this point, I just avoid the Dining Commons as much as possible because it is uncomfortable” said one female student.

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Aerial view of the finished Dining Commons, which will be ready for opening this fall.

Faculty members have also commented on the situation with controversial remarks.

English Professor Bruce Johnson said the semester may sometimes be rough for students at meal times, but the rewards will be evident down the line.

“It will be a great building for everyone on campus once it is finished,” Johnson said.

Sociology Professor Sandra Alvarez also has an upbeat outlook about the situation.

“I believe the new DC will be a very positive, attractive place for students to go eat and socialize. It is a very exciting time for the college,” Alvarez said.

Some students agree, saying that the changes are exciting and positive even as they wait out the project using the temporary dining quarters. Many students said that they would have rather seen the library or athletic facility redone before a building that had no real issues or complaints about it.

None of the members of the AIC community seem to be truly disappointed with the changes. There are clearly frustrations on campus but for the most part it is a very positive atmosphere. Students, as well as faculty are in high anticipation for the renovation to be completed.