Dining hall closures possible

A Residential Programs and Services committee will consider closing dining facilities -- among other changes -- to streamline and reduce costs of campus dining services. Their recommendation will be sent to the Campus Advisory Board in November.\nThe meal plan committee has been assigned to consider options for dining services by neighborhood, while looking out for student convenience and cost-effectiveness.\n"I wanted them to think outside the box," said Patrick Connor, executive director of RPS. "We don't have to think of dining as (a facility) in every residence center." He instructed them not to rule out closing facilities and extending hours of operation.\nThe committee will consider their options in the coming weeks.\nSandra Fowler, director of dining services for RPS and member of the committee, said right now it is premature to talk about facilities closing.\nBut she said it would make sense to offer more services at fewer locations.\n"We could actually increase our overall service at some locations by not offering it at some locations," she said. "And might satisfy more students."\nClosing facilities is only a possibility now, but three under-performing halls were mentioned: Teter, McNutt and Forest quads.\n"Those three centers are the ones having problems drawing people in," said senior Chris Boudi, president of the committee. "You need a certain number of people going to a place to warrant it being open." But he said no decision has been made -- and that closings would be a last resort.\nSome students were puzzled that their dining halls were under-performing.\n"There are lines coming out for hours," said freshman Nicole Porras from Teter. "They're really busy the entire time they're open. There's no way the business is down."\nSome dining managers report an improvement in their numbers. In a weekly budget meeting for dining managers Wednesday, Jeff Kutche, McNutt dining manager, said numbers across the board were improving. \n"As of today, everyone's making what they should," he said.\nAll the same, dining managers said they understand economic realities.\n"If (closing facilities) is what they must do to be financially sound, then that's what we'll do," said Cheryl Gucinski, Forest dining manager.\nBudget problems have plagued RPS dining services for two years -- since the traditional meal plan switched to the current points system. "Our budgeting process hasn't caught up with (the change)," Fowler said.\nLast year, RPS was short between one and two million dollars, and the year before was about the same, she said.\nBut this time they hope to solve these financial problems permanently.\nConnor said he wants the committee to decide and recommend changes. \n"I want them to be able to talk about it without feeling that I'm going to influence them one way or another," he said.\nThe committee of 12, consisting of equal numbers of students and managers, meets Fridays.\n"It would be painful to me to have to close down an operation and limit service to students," Boudi said. "But I can see both sides as to what has to be done. We're going to do whatever is in the best interests of the students as long as it's within what RPS dining can do," he said.\nFowler said she hopes the committee will have a decision by Nov. 15. Connor expects a report around Nov. 1, so housing and dining publications can have updated information.\nBut Boudi said he hadn't heard about the November deadline and the committee hasn't yet formally discussed its plans for next year's dining services.\n"We've always made the decisions second semester," Boudi said. "If (November) is the case, I wish it would've been known to me prior to today."\nAny changes would not go into effect until fall 2001. \nMany options for financial improvement have been tried by RPS in the past.\n"We've done everything from adjust hours to adjust service and menu changes," Fowler said. But a lot of the things they've tried haven't worked, she said.\nIt comes down to most students preferring food courts -- which are picking up the financial slack of other dining facilities, she said.\n"They're not using the service in their centers," Fowler said. "(Only) 10-12 percent actually use the traditional, homestyle dining services, although they say they want that service."\nIU is one of the few remaining campuses in the country to offer food service in virtually every building, Connor said. He said 95-98 percent of campuses don't offer that sort of convenience.\nBoudi said other options to closings will be considered, while trying to figure out new ways and concepts to bring people in.\n"If it's blatantly obvious that there's a student push to maintain an operation in a center, the problem is we're going to have to cut back service in another location," he said. "Sure, we can have service in every center, but we may have to wear ourselves thin."\nThe vote of the meal plan committee is not binding. The committee can only issue a recommendation that would be sent to the campus advisory board.\nBut Connor said the committee's wishes are rarely disregarded.\n"If (the committee) feel it's best for students to operate in the current mode, than that's what we'll do," Connor said.\n"As tough as it is to keep everyone's interest in mind, I think the committee (does)," Boudi said.\nThe committee is always seeking feedback and suggestions, he said. Anyone with input is invited to e-mail the committee at mpcomm@indiana.edu