North Campus Student Center is making profit after renovations, menu changes
By Gordon Murray
Jan. 31, 2011 2:34 a.m.
The North Campus dining area’s revenue has significantly improved following a December break facelift.
The dining area has been making a profit in the four weeks since the Associated Students UCLA opened the renovated North Campus dining area. At this time last year, the dining area cost nearly 8 percent more to run than it made back in revenue.
The renovation involved simplifying the menus of dining area food stalls, the installation of a new floor and the remodeling of food stalls.
Student reaction to the menu changes has been mixed.
Some students had complaints about the removal of dollar menu items from the restaurant menus.
“I think it’s surprising that they removed the value menu, because financially strapped students such as myself relied on it heavily,” said Jessie Thorpe, a fourth-year political science student.
Others, though, noticed that overall prices had gone down and were interested in the menu changes.
Students said they believe the pizza, in particular, is a good deal. The North Campus dining area previously served pizza by the slice at an increased price.
“Across the board the food quality has improved,” said Daniel Bowman, a third-year art and fine arts student.
There were a few people who complained about changes made to the Mexican food stall Casa del Norte, said Armen Ter-Barsegyan, a fourth-year sociology student and North Campus ASUCLA supervisor.
The North Campus food stall Casa del Norte used to offer a diverse menu, including dollar burritos and street tacos.
A few students said they were less impressed with the menu changes.
Rachel Flamenbaum, a second-year anthropology graduate student, said that the omission of some menu choices were disappointing.
“It’s a beautiful upgrade in terms of establishment, but the lack of lasagna makes me sad,” Flamenbaum said.
