By Molly Dishaw, '07 |Managing Editor

Students eat lunch recently at Seneca Dining Hall. The facility will close in March for extensive renovations, shifting the bulk of dining services to Mustang Alley.

Photo by Nicole Davis, '08

The closing of Seneca Dining Hall has many students curious about the transition that will be made. In March, Seneca Dining Hall will be closing for reconstruction and upgrades. This project is an exciting opportunity to undertake, and only happens once every few decades.

The project is primarily focused on the kitchen area. Changes will be, central commissary area, the bake shop, and new equipment. The loading area will include installing an elevator. Another small project that is being considered is to add color to the serving areas.

Since the Dining Hall will be closed, students are wondering what will happen with meal plans once dining plus points run out. The staff and directors have a plan to transition Seneca into Mustang Alley with very similar service options. As of now, the plan is to use Mustang Alley as an all-you-can-eat option from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The menu will reflect the same offerings as the menu currently available at Seneca Dining Hall. This includes: the salad bar, pasta bar, deli area, main entrée, and the grill. From 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. the Mustang Alley will be available as a late night option for dining plus, mustang money, and cash sales.

Student Camille Tarnell said, “I don’t like the sounds of the transition because I am not a big fan of Seneca food. I would rather have Mustang Alley food during the day.”

Stix and Laptop will offer extended hours, but they have not yet been determined. Smooth Jazzy Joz may have extended hours as well, depending on the demand.

Once Seneca closes, students will dine at Mustang Alley and the other facilities offered. Director of Dining Services Diana Johnson said approximately 250-350 students (depending on meal period) who dine at Seneca will also use one of the other facilities. "Since there are three other facilities, there shouldn’t be that many students who pick Mustang Alley.”

The staff and directors are being creative in an effort to minimize large numbers of people dining at Mustang Alley. They plan to be well staffed at Mustang Alley to accommodate the large number of costumers. Diana Johnson said they will have there most experienced staff available during each of the time periods that are needed. Mustang Alley also makes each individual meal as it is ordered; this is why there is a longer wait than in a dining hall setting. There will be a follow up on the plan through this month.