With an especially large freshman class and the addition of more than 300 students from Tulane University, Boston University students say the increase in traffic in the George Sherman Union this year has contributed to longer food lines and sparse seating throughout the facility.
“I’ve noticed that there are a lot more freshmen at the GSU lately,” College of Communication senior Ashley Parker said. “A lot of people are taking advantage of all the things the GSU has to offer.”
Since last year, the GSU has added new features, including a sushi station, Loose Leafs and more food options at many of the stations, such as the addition of roast beef to Cranberry Farms’ menu.
In addition to more food choices, the GSU has become a popular hangout since BU Central started to incorporate a number of high-profile events into its schedule, according to GSU Director Annemarie Kougias. She said along with overwhelming attendance at shows in the GSU, the location of the union also adds to its popularity.
“The BU Central has late hours and its set-up lends itself to late-night entertainment,” Kougias said. “It is centrally located on campus so students don’t have to go from one place to another, and there are food options as well as study options available before and after events.”
Students say with the amount of people using the GSU’s services this year, waiting time for food has increased.
School of Management junior Erica Lee said she has experienced longer lines at the Union Court than last year.
“I have had to wait up to 15 minutes for my food,” she said. “The salad line is always especially long because everyone wants something different.”
In spite of the long lines, students say they have found ways to avoid waits.
“There are two lines for the salad bar,” Lee said, “so I always go to the shorter one.”
Parker said she takes other factors into consideration before heading to the GSU.
“I try to get there as early as possible,” she said. “Otherwise, I put my stuff down and just wait until the lines die down.”
Dining Services Director Joshua Hubbard said he and his staff are not surprised by the increased number of students and as a result they schedule their staff according to peak hours.
“All in all, [the GSU] is really popular,” he said. “But you can only put so many bodies behind the counters. We are well aware when the classes break and when we need to staff up.”
Hubbard said students are also capable of solving the problem themselves.
“Students naturally self-solve the situation,” he said. “In the beginning they came right after class, but now they will stop and check their mail, or drop in and see a professor so they end up avoiding the rush.”
The GSU offers a number of grab-and-go options, so if students are truly in a rush they can avoid the longer lines and. Students who prefer a customized salad or burrito will just have to sacrifice efficiency for self- satisfaction, Hubbard said.