After being open for a total of 12 hours Monday and Tuesday, Nelson Commons has drawn large crowds leading to what seemed like endless wait times for Ohio University students.
While some students rushed to alternative dining halls throughout campus, hundreds of others chose to stick it out the past few days and wait in long lines to get a taste of the new Nelson Court, even in the rain.
“On Monday, with the first official day of classes underway, Culinary Services opened the doors to the newly renovated Nelson Court. Nelson Court successfully served approximately 2,300 guests during its dinner service,” said Rich Neumann, director of residential dining, in an email.
Carolyn Nachman, a sophomore studying journalism, said she waited an hour total during her trip to Nelson on Monday. The wait was “crazy,” she said.
“The lines were horrible, and waiting was really frustrating,” Nachman said. “The dining hall itself was really nice, but the lines were way too long, and it really wasn’t worth the wait.”
Some students waited 20 minutes to get swiped in and another 40 minutes in line for Nelson’s new Asian food bar, Nachman said.
“The food wasn’t that much different than the other dining halls,” she added.
Culinary Services employees said they expected the increase in students.
“With the first few weeks of classes, culinary venues typically expect larger numbers of guests arriving at one time, as students work to settle into campus life and learn their new academic schedules and campus commitments,” Neumann said.
In order to prepare for the larger volumes of crowds, both student and full-time staff at Nelson trained to ensure a smooth opening, Neumann said.
“This was a process we had started with the completion and opening of Shively Court,” Neumann said.
Culinary Services and staff expected a significant draw to the venue, especially after positive buzz circulating both by word-of-mouth and social media, said Brian Thompson, director of auxiliaries, in an email.
“By all accounts, from the comments and feedback we have received through Twitter and word-of-mouth at Nelson Court, this has been a success for Culinary Services,” Thompson said.
Ally Neese, a sophomore studying forensic chemistry, said when she and her friends waited for dinner Monday night, the line to Nelson Commons was backed up all the way to Crawford Hall.
“The lines inside were pretty long. There were lines for everything,” Neese said. “It was kind of expected since it was new, but it just took so long.”
During lunchtime Monday, Nelson Court served approximately 1,600 guests, Neumann said.
However, some students went during lunch and managed to avoid Nelson’s lines.
“I walked in right away and didn’t have to wait long at all,” said Madeline Holthaus, a freshman studying early childhood education. “It was really good food.”
Students hope the crowds won’t last.
“I think it will be a lot better when there isn’t as much hype about it,” Neese said.
Nachman said next time she goes to Nelson, she is going to eat lunch instead of dinner.
Autumn Ryder, Nelson’s senior general manager, said she thinks all OU students will enjoy the renovations.
“We truly feel that this renovation will be a lasting success for the campus environment and will enrich the experience of all students, faculty and staff,” Ryder said in an email.
bc822010@ohiou.edu
