While Loyola is looking at the possibility of major renovations to the Danna Center, students can expect several changes as early as next semester.
To accompany a new meal plan requirement for all residential students, Chris Cameron, director of the Danna Center and Student Activities, said students can also expect an operation in the space across from the C-Store, later hours to eat and an interchangeable Wolfbucks and Tulane Wavebucks plan.
Sandella’s will extend its open hours to 3 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays and until 10 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays. SGA organized the purchase of game tables and televisions to appeal to late-night crowds.
To add variety to the late-night menu, Sandella’s will offer items prepared in the Orleans Room kitchen. The menu will be decided by a student focus group.
The OR will also expand its hours of operation to include breakfasts during weekdays.
According to Cameron, the space across from the C-Store that was previously Mane Attraction hair salon will find a new use by the fall. Vacant since Katrina, possible tenants for the space include a student-run entrepreneurial venture headed by business professor Brett Matherne, an organic food and health product store or a store carrying fair-trade items.
The Student Activities office is running a test program for an interchangeable Wolf/Wavebucks meal payment plan. Twenty students (from Loyola and Tulane) have been allowed to purchase food on both campuses using their own school payment system. Provided there are no kinks in the wireless card-scanning systems, the schools will initiate a second test run to monitor traffic issues.
Cameron said that for the last five years both universities have been discussing such a plan and have even planned restaurant choices around it. He said students can expect the program to be up and running by next semester, provided there are no technical problems.
During the summer, refurbishing will proceed in the Danna Center to involve re-carpeting, painting and reorganization of offices, Cameron said.
Even greater changes to the Danna Center await the recommendations of Pittsburgh-based architectural firm McLachlan, Cornelius and Filoni. MCF began its study last semester to improve aesthetics and navigability of the building.
Marcia Petty, vice president for Student Affairs, has worked with the firm in the past. She said the report would come out at the end of the Spring 2007 semester. The firm has made two visits to Loyola and has been in close contact with a steering committee made up of staff, faculty and students.
“The recommendations will likely be in phases from basic refurbishment and minimum renovation to either a total renovation or a new building,” Petty said.
Cameron said SGA has discussed the possible renovation of the vacant space at the Carrollton turn around to open another on-campus food location.
The Carrollton site is ideal because it will be easier to install ventilation than it is in the Underground, he said, offering students more options, including a grilled and fried food menu.
Steve Heath can be reached at [email protected].
