Dining services plans changes for 1996-97
by Amy L. Plack - Class of '96
Ever since he took over as Manager of Dining Services here at WPI, Joe Kraskouskas, affectionately known to many as "Dakajoe," has been making changes across the board. In the past year, students have seen a drastic improvement in the quality and variety of the food served in both the dining halls and in the Grille and Gompei's Place. For the most part, these changes have been subtle, but the addition of the French Quarter Coffee Cart in Daniels, as well as the Meals to Go program in the Grille, were broader in scope. Following these changes, Kraskouskas announced major projects in the works for next year, starting with a major renovation of the Grille.
Burger King in the Grille?
The new Grille, scheduled to be completed by the time students arrive in the fall, will feature three main serving areas. World's Fare will feature entrees from around the globe, while Leo's Delancy St. Deli will serve up sandwiches. Finally, the addition of a Burger King will most certainly appeal to members of the community. Kraskouskas says the salad bar will stay in the Grille, but the French Quarter Coffee Cart, which has been quite popular, will have to move due to the changes in the Grille's outer appearance. While there's talk about moving the cart to Fuller Laboratories, nothing is as yet definite.
New Meal Plan Options
The Meal Plans Plus program has been upgraded for next year. Students will still have the 19, 14, and 10-Meals Plus options, each of which comes with discretionary "PLUS dollars" and two guest meal passes per semester. As always with these plans, any unused meals are lost at the end of the week. The addition of two new plans have both on- and off-campus residents excited. "The Premier Pass" allows students to add to their Meals Plus plan for only $199 per semester. This plan adds buying power at other Food Service facilities when Morgan Commons is closed, $20 extra PLUS dollars and five additional guest meal passes per semester. The other new plan, called "The 180," is specifically geared toward non-residents and light-eating residents. The plan allows students to use a total of 180 meals in a semester - without losing meals at the end of the week - which can be used for guests as well. This plan is ideal for the budget-conscious student who is able to schedule which meals s/he will be skipping in order to stretch the 180 to the end of the semester.
Better hours
Starting in the fall, Founders Commons will be open from 7 - 9:15am for continental breakfast - early risers seeking eggs and pancakes will have to trek up to Morgan Commons. All plans will have extended dining hours as well, and students will be able to use "meals" at other facilities when Morgan and Founders are closed. Founders Commons will also be open for "cafe services" in the afternoons, Monday through Friday, 1:15pm to 5:00pm, with dinner served from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. All in all, it seems "Dakajoe" has really listened to the students this year. Many of these changes were suggested by the student body, both through GS Grams and postings to the newsgroup, wpi.daka, which was created last year for just such a communications link.
