Why did the SAC Food Court close?

The primary reason is that Business Services, along with our dining partners, Chartwells, made a large commitment to support the Student Union Concept by providing a dining destination that better served resident and commuter students. The nuts-and-bolts of this decision was based on geographical analysis and what would serve the greatest number of students. Another significant factor was the result from student surveys that specifically asked for Starbucks and Wendy’s. (Like franchises won't allow direct competition with each other on the same campus, so the coming of Wendy's meant we could no longer have Burger King).

Proximity to commuter and visitor parking and residence halls at the Union is more convenient to a greater number of students. Programs and activities will be going on there as never before on this campus. The Union allows us to have more retail and all-you-care-to eat meal plan concepts and more service hours than ever before. And with nearly all the student life services, organizations, programs, staff and offices transitioning out of Cone Center to the Student Union, it did not appear that there would be enough traffic to support the SAC Food Court as it existed prior to the opening of the Union (except for providing concessions during program and sporting events).

In light of all the activities and student-space offered in the Union, and the sea-change it would create in traffic and use patterns, it did not make sense to duplicate food services in the SAC, plus all indications are that the SAC cannot, at this time, sustain enough business to justify meaningful service hours.

But no one wanted the West end of campus to be isolated from food services. And so it was decided that Main Street Market would remain open for lunch (although downsized somewhat) to serve the mid-day needs of that end of campus (primarily Reese, King, Colvard, Atkins Library and the offices remaining in Cone). Main Street Market serves made-to-order sandwiches, soups, sushi and fresh noodle bowls along with a selection of grab-and-go sandwiches, yogurt and salads.Ritazza’s continues to provide soups and sandwiches on weekends and during the evening based around hours when the library is open.

The Union provides a lot of variety during the day and at night: Crown Commons serves until 8:30 PM; Wendy’s is open M-Th until 8 PM, Mamma Leone's take-out window is open until 11 PM, Outtakes prepares made-to-order subs made until 12:30 AM. The walkway/plaza area from between the SAC and the Library, through CHHS and COE provides easy access to the Union and every shuttle stops there.

Crossroads Cafeteria represented another duplication of services with Crown Commons; therefore it was closed as a board-dining hall. Crossroads does however have a made-to-order sandwich station and an extended Outtakes C-store, designed to meet the quick-meal needs of students who live in the residence halls on that side.

Every year we conduct a comprehensive review of our services through the first month of the Fall semester. This year that information is especially important so we can learn how much the Student Union has changed dining patterns on campus and will help us decide what needs to be modified. The SAC will continue to provide concessions for events, and we are not eliminating the food service production capability in the SAC, Crossroads and Main Street Market. This will allow us to make future adjustments based on service needs.

The crowds (and therefore lines) at the Student Union are, admittedly, over expectation. That said, the first week of school is not a fair indicator as everyone is on campus, seemingly at the same time, getting first-order-of-business things done like picking up parking permits, buying books, going to financial aid, and going through drop-ad. Plus, almost every Grand Opening and WOW event took place at the Union. Over the next two or three weeks, the "people patterns" should settle down. Please know too, that due to delays in construction we only had one week to train and prepare the food service areas prior to move-in and the Union's opening. With additional time our service will improve.