Ohio University Dining Services staff spoke at the new Read-Johnson Scholars Complex Think Tank forum Wednesday to dispel rumors and update students about upcoming plans, including the status of the Oasis.
Contrary to rumors, the Oasis is not closing, said Emily Howard, marketing manager for housing and food service.
Dining Services did submit a proposal last summer, which has not yet been approved, to modify the Oasis. If it is accepted, it could be closed during the transition, said Patti Pennell, director of Retail Operations.
Oasis does need renovated
Pennell said.
Dining Services conducted a student survey to gather suggestions for changing the nature of the Oasis, said Rich Neumann, director of Dining Services. The number one suggestion was a combination of a computer store and whole-foods market. If this idea materializes, it would support the GoMobile program, which offers students discounts on laptops, sell computers and, possibly, iPod accessories, Neumann said. The market portion would probably offer some organic foods and fresh baked goods, he said.
Several changes have been made in Dining Services this year to boost student satisfaction, with other improvements on the way, Howard said.
At every Grab 'n' Go, students can now choose either cookies or fruit in addition to the regular meal, Howard said. Also, the $136 Block 20 meal plan option, which consists of 20 meals for the entire quarter, has been added for students who have 90 credit hours or more, she said.
Until this year, Dining Services never employed an actual chef, said Matt Rapposelli, executive chef. Rapposelli will be working with Dining Services to develop recipes for cookies, dinner rolls, pizza crust and other bakery products to be made from scratch that are currently prepared with ready-made doughs, Neumann said.
During Winter Quarter, Rapposelli will evaluate the overall dining hall menu to discontinue unpopular items and make additions, said Gwyn Scott, executive director of Culinary and Dining Operations. This will happen after the new University Center opens January 2007. Dining Services will analyze the effect the food venues have on the dining halls, leading to an effort to transform each dining hall into more of a theme dining concept so that they all offer different options, Scott said.
It would be better if dining halls served more healthy choices and less fried foods, said freshman Jessica Cherok, a Johnson Hall resident who attended the Think Tank.
Three years ago, Dining Services introduced a healthy choice line, but it was not popular with students, Neumann said.
We put out what the students eat he said. We're trying to please the majority.
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University discusses modifications to all dining services in 'Think Tank' forum
