The Center for Student Services opened Saturday, generating mixed reviews. While we expected the new dining hall to be crowded, we did not realize just how crazy “crowded” would be. Students and staff appeared frazzled, weaving through people and tables while balancing plates of food and mugs of coffee.
The intimacy of the old dining halls — Myles Standish Dining Hall, Shelton Hall and The Towers Dining Room — did not appear to have been duplicated at the Center for Student Services. It is much harder for students and dining hall workers to forge relationships in such a large space packed with so many diners.
Similarly, the convenience that Myles, Shelton and Towers’ dining halls provided cannot be replaced. Food is no longer an elevator ride away, and we doubt that diners will feel comfortable eating breakfast in their pajamas like they did months before.
To give it credit, the new center does offer sweeping views, and it is nice to see a menu that competes with the Fresh Food Company at West Campus.
But, then again, some of the dinner options were too fancy for our taste.
Speaking of the fancy fare, we find it strange that BU promotes itself as an academic institution, but focuses many of its resources on new dining facilities and residence halls. We do not feel that a sit-down restaurant and showy menu meets the needs of a fast-paced student body.
Overall, our hope is that the excitement the new building brings will ware off, allowing lower Bay State Road residents the opportunity to enjoy their new dining hall in peace.
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