With Campus Dining’s multiple renovation plans this summer, students can expect better food, more jobs and the availability of late-night coffee in the library in the fall.
“I’m incredibly excited,” Campus Dining Director Tom Welton said. “I really think people are going to be happy with the changes.”
Julian’s in the University Union will be replaced with a Starbucks. Until then, the café is temporarily located at Backstage Pizza.
“The structural layout is much different than Julian’s was and customer service will be a lot better with shorter waiting times,” Welton said.
Most on-campus restaurants will also see an upgrade in quality of food.
Garden Grill, Backstage Pizza, Sage and The Sandwich Factory will have their menus revamped with new lines of food.
“We’re adding a vegetarian sandwich component in the Avenue, with wraps etc.” Welton said.
Garden Grill will also take a healthier stand by offering items like tofu cheesecake and vegan snacks on its menu.
“Anything that promotes healthy living isn’t going to be a negative thing, but I don’t know how it’s going to affect people eating on campus or if it’s going to be fast,” electrical engineering junior Rob Fuchs said. “If I’m in between classes and I have like 10 minutes, I can go to Chick-Fil-A and pick something up really quickly, which isn’t exactly the healthiest thing.”
But not all additions are necessarily health-friendly – another anticipated addition, Welton said, is an entire bakery selection of desserts, straight from Cal Poly’s bakeries.
The newly remodeled Sage restaurant – formerly Vista Grande Café- is also spicing up its menu by adding chicken wings with up to 10 different sauce choices.
“Tapango’s is being changed out on Dexter Lawn for a new kind of operation,” Welton said, but because plans are not yet official, he could not comment specifically on what that change would be.
In addition to the Tapango’s renovation, new food carts will be added on campus where food wasn’t available before, Welton said.
“What we’re trying to deliver is an upgrade and whole new image for Campus Dining,” Welton said. “We’re offering students real restaurant quality.”
More Campus Dining reconstruction than usual is happening this summer and most changes are a result of student surveys.
“We want to be on top of trends and meet demands of students,” Welton said.
Students who worked at the Julian’s in the University Union get first choice on jobs available in the library and at the series of new cafes coming to the new student housing facility, Poly Canyon Village.
Peet’s Coffee and Tea, Jamba Juice, and Einstein Brothers Bagels will find a home at Poly Canyon Village, meaning new opportunities for student employment on campus.
“There will be more job offers now than before for students,” Welton said. He encourages students to start applying for positions as soon as possible.
Part of the Robert E. Kennedy Library’s second floor renovation on the north wing is the addition of a Julian’s kiosk that will be available for late-night studiers in need of caffeine.
“We’re trying to make the library atmosphere more inviting and accommodating for student needs,” Dean of Library Services Michael Miller said.
Based on observations, library officials recognized that students work and go to class during the day, meaning they don’t get around to studying until night.
“We understand (students) need to stay here late, and it wouldn’t be unusual for them to need caffeine,” Miller said.
One student echoed that statement.
“Caffeine helps people study, or at least I’d like to think so,” business sophomore Kiona Davies said. “It’d be helpful for students to have that available.” She added that she will take advantage of the services in the fall.
The seating will be wired with electrical outlets for students to plug in their laptops and other devices.
Because the library will see a large expansion project take place over the next few years, this is the only opportunity to renovate the current structure without having to wait another 10 years for an available budget, Miller said.
The library project will be unveiled with its grand opening during 2008’s Week of Welcome.
Applications for Poly Canyon Village positions are available through Mustang Jobs on the My Cal Poly Portal, as well as in the Campus Dining office on campus.