HWS Opens New Dining Facilities
8 September 2017 HWS Opens New Dining Facilities
Hobart and William Smith students have kicked off the fall semester with an enhanced dining experience at the Scandling Campus Center that includes new spaces, food stations and increased functionality.
The expanded facilities feature upgrades to the main Saga dining hall and servery such as a larger, more open dining environment with additional seating for students and a new common room to support faculty, staff and campus gatherings. On Monday, Aug. 28, members of the HWS community gathered with Board Chair Thomas S. Bozzuto 68, President Gregory J. Vincent 83 and students for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially unveil the newly revamped facilities.
From the moment our students walk through the door, we want them to enjoy a whole new campus dining experience, says Chris Button, associate director for planning and construction. I think weve achieved that goal by opening up the dining space, reducing the impact of the tiers in the dining hall, expanding the availability of natural light, and introducing color and creative placement of the stations.
In addition to a fresh and modern facelift, the My Kitchen cooking station doubles as flexible space that could be used as a cooking classroom or after hours study area. An allergy-friendly zone also has been created and includes Simple Servings, which provides food choices for those with allergies or gluten intolerance, while My Zone has been designed as a pantry where food items needed by those with allergies or special considerations can be housed with precautions against cross-contamination. To accommodate the busy lives of students, theres also a new grab-and-go option.
The project has followed LEED principles and includes elements that reflect the Colleges commitment to sustainability and the environment. These features include environmentally sensitive finishes (paint, carpets, flooring, wood), LED lighting for new fixtures, energy efficient equipment, trayless dining and a new dishwasher that saves energy and reduces water consumption. In partnership with IT Services, the space now features more robust wifi and more electrical outlets for charging convenience.
Button says the project took direction from feedback received from the HWS community during the master planning process, as well as consultation from members of the strategic diversity committee, student trustees and other student groups.
Its exciting to be able to welcome students, faculty and staff back to campus with a refreshed and enhanced dining experience, says Lynn Pelkey, general manager of dining services at HWS. Theyll be greeted with more options, outstanding food and an inviting dining atmosphere.
For information about HWS dining venues, hours and meal plans, visit the Dining Services website.