Extra dinner hour still has students puzzled

Wednesday, February 10, 1999

Extra dinner hour still has students puzzled

PREFERENCES: Residents opt for fast-food, despite extended dorm
services

By Linh Tat

Daily Bruin Contributor

Although Rieber Hall’s cafeteria extended its hours to 9 p.m. on
Sunday through Thursday at the beginning of the quarter, dining
staff have found that students continue to visit Puzzles while
Rieber is still open.

Dining officials had hoped the change would alleviate crowding
in the dining halls during peak hours between 6 and 7 p.m.

Dining Services hopes to have 300 additional students eat during
Rieber’s extra hour every night. Right now, figures show that about
150 students are dining in the hall during that time, according to
Charles Wilcots, assistant director of dining services.

With Rieber’s new hours in effect for five weeks now, Wilcots
expects to see the number of guests increase between 8 and 9 p.m.,
as more students learn about it.

"We have already seen the numbers progressively go up over the
weeks," he said.

While the number of students who eat at Rieber from 8 to 9 p.m.
is still low, that time is Puzzles’ peak hour for service.

The idea to extend Rieber’s dining hours came about through the
dorms’ food and environment committee meetings, which include
students and dorm administrators.

"We want to encourage guests to enjoy their meals while
providing full services," Wilcots said.

In addition to extending its dining hours, Rieber recently
changed the set-up of its conveyor belt and brought in new, larger
trays.

"We plan to stay current with outside restaurants," Wilcots
said. "We forever evolve menus to meet the tastes of our
guests."

According to Wilcots, the place students choose to dine at
depends on their lifestyles.

Many students patronize Puzzles because it offers quick items
for students in a hurry or for those who like to eat in the
convenience of their rooms, Wilcots said.

"Puzzles was not designed to replace any of the dining halls,"
he said. "It is meant to provide different options for
students."

Some students said they continue to eat at Puzzles because they
are not familiar with Rieber’s new hours yet.

"The main reason I don’t eat at Rieber is because I forget it is
open that late at night," said Ben Seibel, a first-year civil
engineering student.

Some students said they continue to eat at Puzzles during
Rieber’s extended hours because they prefer the food at
Puzzles.

"The meals are better (at Puzzles), even though you don’t get as
much food," said Mat McCrae, a first-year economics student.

With so many students eating at Puzzles, the restaurant now
offers a healthier meal to the guests, including a sandwich, side
salad and dessert.

The dining service staff is in the process of starting up focus
groups, which would look for alternative ways of providing
services.

One idea which came up during a food and environment committee
meeting had to do with offering more selections of fast-food items
for take-out from 8to 9 p.m. at Rieber. This idea, however, is
still under discussion.LEAH SWALLEY

Students continue to purchase dinners at Puzzles restaurant
despite the longer operating hours now in effect at Reiber Hall’s
dining room.

Comments, feedback, problems?

© 1998 ASUCLA Communications Board[Home]