Memorial Union | ESU Bulletin

Posts Tagged ‘Memorial Union’

Written by Bulletin Staff
Friday, 27 April 2012 08:25
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Students swarmed into the first floor lounge of the Memorial Union for music, refreshments and a prize giveaway to celebrate the grand opening of the new Center for Student Involvement yesterday afternoon. There was a raffle for prizes such as an iPad and a 32-inch flatscreen LCD TV, plus gift baskets donated by eight Registered Student Organizations.

“This is basically a grand opening celebration for CSI,” said Union Activities Council President Eden Tullis. “The new Center for Student Involvement opened one week after spring break. We set the date for the event when we moved into our new location.”

The new area was opened up to students for tours. Tullis said that CSI started planning for the event in November and that UAC was “very excited” to host the event.

“The grand opening is just very exciting,” said Ashley Vogts, ASG president. “Students usually don’t get to know much about what CSI does. This gives them a better look at who they are and what they do.”

CSI member Enilisse Ortiz said they were not the only group participating in the event on Wednesday afternoon. The Office of International Education, Greek Life, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Associated Student Government, L.E.A.D., Community Hornets, P.R.I.D.E. and the Earth Science Club also participated, setting up booths or donating prize baskets for the raffle.

“ASG also has a booth there with fliers that have information about what ASG does,” Vogts said.

Ortiz said CSI wants to encourage students to come by and check out the new facility.

“It’s also an opportunity for students to find out information about groups relevant to their interests,” Ortiz said.

Tullis said that with the union renovations, she has noticed more people in the lounge area by the CSI.

CSI has also started planning another event for students next year. Tullis said CSI is getting ready to put together a time capsule in the fall and hide it within a recess in a wall in the newly finished Memorial Union, close to where the new CSI is located.

“We recently dug up a time capsule when the renovations to the Memorial Union started,” Tullis said. “We are really looking forward to doing the time capsule in the fall.”

Steve Edwards

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‘Ask a Black Person’ breaks down stereotypes

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 16 February 2012 13:19
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Black Student Union has the meeting on Wednesday in Webb Lecture Hall I. Senior recreation major and president of BSU James Jones answered question people had about the black community. Yo Han Kim/The Bulletin

Senior recreation major and president of BSU James Jones answered questions people had about the black community. Yo Han Kim/The Bulletin

Students and members of Black Student Union met in the Memorial Union yesterday to address questions and debunk stereotypes about African Americans as BSU hosted their annual “Ask A Black Person” event.

“It is basically a time for students to come and ask questions that they wouldn’t normally ask someone,” said Chastity Wadley, junior marketing major and publicity chair for BSU. “It’s supposed to be anonymous. It’s a time for people to come together and get to know more about the African Americans in a laid back way.”

Wadley said that BSU set out a table to collect questions from students that would then be read and discussed at the event. The point was to ensure that no one would be embarrassed or shy to ask a question.

“There (was) be a chance for people to add their own input, so it’s not just from an African American standpoint, but also from different viewpoints as well,” said Taylor Bullock, senior sociology major.

Bullock said that in past years they have gotten questions asking why black males are more athletic than other athletes, if there really an issue between lighter and darker skinned individuals, as well as questions about the differences with black women’s hair.

“I think BSU’s goal is to answer those wandering questions that people have and to get people to understand more about African Americans, so they don’t feel afraid to come up to somebody and have a conversation with them,” Wadley said. “Also to create diversity so that everyone knows about everybody.”

Bullock said BSU hoped to educate others about the African American community.

“We all may look the same, but everyone has different issues,” Bullock said. “I am from the suburbs, middle class, so what I go through in life as an African American may not be the same as our president of BSU, who is from Dallas, Texas.”

Erin Bleich, sophomore secondary education major, said that she thinks “Ask A Black Person” is a good idea.

“We build up stereotypes in our heads about people, and then we don’t really ask to see if it is true or not, so we really don’t have any idea,” Bleich said.

BSU hosts several events throughout the semester. Their next event is “Karaoke Live” from 7-10 p.m. on Feb. 28 in Albert Taylor Hall.

Khaili Scarbrough

EAST CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE HALL OF FAME, ADDITIONAL AWARD WINNERS RECOGNIZED

US Fed News Service, Including US State News May 6, 2008 East Central Community College issued the following news release: see here east central community college

Recipients of Hall of Fame and other honors were recognized during the annual Awards Day program held May 1, 2008, at East Central Community College in Decatur.

Selection to the Hall of Fame is considered the highest honor a student can receive at the College, according to Dr. Phil A. Sutphin, ECCC president, who presented the awards.

“To be considered for the prestigious honor,” Dr. Sutphin said, “students must demonstrate exemplary character, superior scholarship, worthy leadership and contribute to the betterment of East Central Community College.” Hall of Fame inductees for 2007-08 include Beth Alexander of Little Rock, Dru Anderson of Decatur, Noah Cook, Ashley Henley and Jonathan Jackson, all of Hickory; and Julie Gaines of Philadelphia.

Alexander, a home-schooled student, is the daughter of George and Cindy Alexander of Little Rock.

A Dean’s List scholar, she serves as president of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of the two-year college, secretary of the president’s council and was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Community Colleges.

She was selected for the 2008 Phi Theta Kappa All-USA Academic Third Team for Community and Junior Colleges, the 2008 All-Mississippi Academic First Team and was named a New Century Scholar for achieving the highest score among Mississippi students in the All-USA Academic Team compeitiion.

In addition, she is a member of The Tom Tom newspaper staff, ECCC Players, EC Environmental Club, Baptist Student Union, concert choir, Warrior Corps and the Scholars Bowl team.

She received the EC Players and the Scholars’s Bowl awards.

Those nominating Alexander wrote, “She is a great student that has been very involved in campus activities during her time at ECCC.” Anderson, a graduate of Newton County High School, is the daughter of Max and Pat Anderson of Decatur.

A President’s List Scholar, she serves as president of the Student Body Association, co-president of the Warrior Corps student recruiting organization, and was vice president of her freshman class.

She was selected a freshman homecoming maid and was elected the 2007 Homecoming Queen.

In addition, she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the cheerleading squad, Lady Warrior tennis team, Ac’cents show choir, Baptist Student Union, Wesley Foundation and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Those nominating her wrote, “Dru is a student that is very involved in campus organizations, respected by all her peers and has maintained a great GPA. She is a young lady that has it all, but I’ve never seen any sign of an ego.” A Newton County High School graduate, Cook is the son of Sidney and Stacy Cook of Hickory.

A President’s and Dean’s List scholar, he serves as vice president of Alpha Alpha Epsilon engineering club and was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Community Colleges.

In addition, he is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the cheerleading squad, Baptist Student Union, concert choir, chamber choir, the Collegians, Warrior soccer team, tennis team and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

He was selected Most Improved on the cheerleading squad and received the Hustle Award for men’s soccer.

Those nominating Cook wrote, “He is a very outgoing student who always has a smile on his face. He is very creative and always strives to reach his potential.” Henley, a home-schooled student, is the daughter of Ken and Kim Henley of Hickory.

A President’s List Scholar, she serves as vice president for scholarship for Phi Theta Kappa, was selected a Coca-Cola Scholar and was named to Who’s Who Among American Community College Students.

In addition, she is a member of Students in Free Enterprise, Baptist Student Union, Wesley Foundation, EC Environmental Club, Scholars Bowl, Diamond Darlings, EC Players and the Lady Warrior tennis team.

Those nominating her wrote, “She is a student with an outstanding academic record as well as an active participant in numerous campus organizations.” Jackson, a graduate of Newton County High School, is the son of Rita Jackson of Hickory.

A President’s and Dean’s List scholar, he was selected for the Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic Second Team and serves as membership co-chair for Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. He was selected for the Mississippi Community College All-State Band and was named to Who’s Who Among Students In American Community Colleges.

In addition, he is a member of the Wall O’ Sound Marching Band, concert band, Mu Alpha Theta, Sigma Sigma Mu Tau, Warrior Corps and Wesley Foundation.

Those nominating Jackson wrote, “He is a very humble individual who has maintained a very high GPA while being involved in campus activities. He does everything he attempts to do to the best of his abilities.” Gaines, a Neshoba Central graduate, is the daughter of Keith and Rita Gains of Philadelphia. here east central community college

A President’s and Dean’s List Scholar, she serves as secretary of the Student Body Association and was president of her freshman class. She was also named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Community CollegesIn addition, she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Baptist Student Union, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Warrior Corps, Lady Warrior tennis team, Sigma Sigma Mu Tau and the Tom Tom newspaper staff.

Those nominating her wrote, “She is a superb student that is highly motivated, very involved in school activities, extremely conscientious, academically talented and very deserving of this honor.” Additional honors presented during Awards Day include the following:

Vocational award recipients include Mindy Parker of Decatur, cabinetmaking; Kendrick Nichols of Carthage, carpentry; Courtney Stingley of Forest, cosmetology; and Kyle Keady of Union, welding and cutting and “Career Student of the Year.” Technical awards were presented to Jaimie Brown of Meridian and Travis Jordan of Pelahatchie, collision repair; Justin Vernon of Louisville, automotive; Lillie Wash of Newton, early childhood education; MacKenzie Kangas of Collinsville, computer; James Johnson of Madden, electrical; Kyle Wolfe of Lake, electronic; Joseph Downing of Philadelphia, heating and air conditioning; Angela Carter of Philadelphia, hotel/restaurant management; Justin Rushing of Union, machine shop; Austin Gamblin of Lena, network support; and Dollye Packer of Lake, “Technical Student of the Year.” Recipients of healthcare education awards included Ashley May of Conehatta, ADN Outstanding Achievement; Stacy Svihla of Philadelphia, “Healthcare Assistant Student of the Year;” Tanesha Barham of Philadelphia, practical nursing; and Jessica Ashley of Raleigh, paramedic.

Those receiving special awards were Brookes Mayes of Newton, citizenship and the ECCC Players award; Kylie Rigdon of Union, The Tom Tom award; Kyle Barrett of Decatur, concert choir; Amber Griffin of Carthage and Rashan Jackson of Newton, Gospel Choir; Annie Strohm of Morton, East Central Environmental Club; Whitnee White of Philadelphia, Richard Fisher Organic Chemistry Award; Megan Munn of Decatur, Kappa Kappa Iota, Alyne Simmons Recruitment Grant and Lucille Wood Scholarship; Robin McBeath of Union and Annie Strohm of Morton, freshman mathematics; Daniel Johnson of Union, freshman mathematics and S. Lebrun Hutchison Engineering Award; Alexandra Harris of Carthage, sophomore mathematics and secondary education; Tyler Walters of Forest, sophomore mathematics; Angela Pires of Philadelphia and Patricia Vasquez of Lena, Mississippi Community College Creative Writing Association award; Mallory Thompson-Young of Louisville, Myrtle R. Hutchison Elementary Education Award; Shaun Cooper of Decatur, Margaret Mosal Award for Leadership and Ann Burkes Phi Theta Kappa; Sabra Fortenberry and Tammy Plaisance, both of Union, Brooke Barrett of Sebastopol and Kimberly Hearn of Meridian, Mississippi Business Educators Association student awards;

McClain Mullins of Tupelo and Skye Tindall of Newton, Roy Pete Award for Soccer; Desmond Morales of Lake, Anthony Coleman Men’s Basketball Award; Robby Pierce of Lawrence, Alford J. Deaton Physics Award; and Dru Anderson of Decatur, Joseph Cieglo of Forest and Whitnee White of Philadelphia, Walter Arno Vincent Award for Academic Excellence in Athletics.

Alumni Memorial Awards were presented to Joshua Lafferty of Quitman, Billy Wayne Baucum Secondary Education; Dollye Packer of Lake, Ruth Carr-Vincent Award for Academic Excellence in Nontraditional Education; Sandra Whitman of Louisville, Opal McMullan Dickerson Elementary Education; Reagan Joyner of Philadelphia, Alatha Chaney English; Heath Street of Lake, W.A. Coursey, Jr., Engineering; Kim Foy of Philadelphia, Sara Carr Deaton Business Technology; Tyler Hansford of Union, Sue Yarbrough Fulgham Speech; Justin Boone of Louisville, William S. Giffin Men’s Intramural;

Bryan Davis of Newton and Queena Gage of Forest, Homer F. Hunter Award for Athletic Managers; Noah Cook of Hickory, Danny Ray Killens Engineering; Beth Alexander of Little Rock, Jack B. Mayo Phi Theta Kappa; Courtney Elkins of Lena, Dr. Edwin Miller Medical Services; Karl Robinson of Jackson, Howard Sessums Men’s Basketball; Tenesha Brown of Jackson, Earline Wood Women’s Basketball; Fredrick Lyons of Decatur, Andrew F. Webb Football; and Sidney Gutierrez of Chunky, Thomas W. Thrash Memorial.

Faculty Memorial Awards were presented to Candace Long of Union, J. Wallace Bedwell Business and Ruth Hull Wo-He-Lo yearbook; Britni Wright of Louisville, Ruth Hull Wo-He-Lo yearbook; Annie Strohm of Morton, Frank M. Cross Freshman Chemistry; Amber Eaves of Louisville, Aaron R. Davis Memorial; Aaron Mann of Carthage, Robert G. Fick Memorial; Daniel Johnson of Union, Shelby L. Harris Memorial; Jordan Clark of Decatur, Frankin Edwin and Nena Holt Leatherwood Biology Science; James D. Smith of Forest, J. Andy Miller Freshman Engineering;

Andy Ishee of Louin, O.L. Newell Drafting; Dollye Packer of Lake, Charles E. Pennington Business Technology; Shaun Cooper of Decatur, General William Patrick Wilson Academic and L.B. Simmons History; and Emily Thrash of Sebastopol, Leon Eubanks Kaljyc-Peers.

Access to union is renovation challenge

Written by Bulletin Staff
Friday, 20 January 2012 16:54
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The ESU Ballroom is one the several inaccessible areas in the Memorial Union. Phase one of the construction in the Union should be completed by mid-February. Jon Coffey/The Bulletin

When Molly Campbell, senior elementary education student, went to pick up her course packet from the bookstore in the Memorial Union, the main street tunnel was blocked, so she had to go through the temporary tunnel opened up on the second floor.

“I think it’s good because we’re going to have a better union overall,” Campbell said. “In the meantime right now, it’s kind of inconvenient to have to go up those stairs to get around to the front side. The bad thing is now we have to do this when it’s winter. It’s cold, so you don’t want to walk outside.”

Most of the renovations are on the main street, which will be the center for student involvement and the lounge area. The area should be open about the middle of February, said Dave Hendricks, director of the MU.

“The most difficult thing has been and continues to be to work through the phasing of the project and make sure that we can still provide the students with the services that we traditionally provide. One challenge is access,” Hendricks said.

On the lower level of the west side, the Office of International Education has already settled in, and Career Services will move over through the end of January.

“I like our new office,” said Harry Imbeau, director of international student education and scholar services. “In our old office, they used to be on the other side of the union, near the mail room. We didn’t have any windows, so we could never see outside. So being in a space where we can see outside is really nice.”

Only the north entrance is open, which is the quickest way in for students living in the Towers Complex.

“We are actually incorporating phase two with phase one,” Hendricks said. “When we finish the first floor, that really completes the phase one part of the project, and then that only leaves the phase two which should be completed by May.”

Associated Student Government and student publications on the third floor will be opened up as soon as the stairs and handrail are finished within a month. A celebration is scheduled on Feb. 14 for the opening of the main street, OIE and Career Services.

TIANHAI JIANG

Memorial Tunnel

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 03 November 2011 12:08
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Like a Rolling Stone

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 13 October 2011 09:15
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enterprise rocks RGB Physical Plant workers Bruce Love(right) and Dick Weatherholt(left) unload landscaping stones on the east side of the Memorial Union Tuesday afternoon.

Weatherholt designed and is implementing the landscaping as part of their contribution to the Union remodel.

The stones were trucked in from Pyramid Stones Quarry near Olpe and weigh a little over one ton.

John Henningsen/The Bulletin

BONING UP ON BONNETS: Goliad museum pays homage to the practical, pretty head covering.

Victoria Advocate (Victoria, TX) January 7, 2007 Byline: Sonny Long Jan. 7–GOLIAD — While the headgear most associated with the settling of the West is the 10-gallon cowboy hat, women of the day also often covered their pates with a cover that has a colorful history of its own — the bonnet. The bonnet is not as popular today as in the 1800s, but can often be seen being worn by women working in the yard or garden and in historical re-enactments. The most common kind of bonnet worn today is a soft head covering for babies. They are shaped much like the kind of bonnets women used to wear. They cover the hair and ears, but not the forehead. About a dozen bonnets are currently on display at the Market House Museum in Goliad. The display includes a bonnet worn by 85-year-old Annie Williams back when she was a teenager picking cotton on the family farm in Fannin. Another bonnet turns into an apron when unfolded. Actually, the original bonnets were a headgear for men, usually noblemen and clergy. In the 1770s, when huge wigs and hairstyles for women were fashionable, the “calash” bonnet was worn to protect the high hairstyles from the weather, according to an Internet article on Vintagefashionguild.org, by Jonathan Walford of Kickshaw Productions. Collapsible bonnets, they were made of strips of wood or whalebone sewn into channels of a silk hood. A front ribbon allowed the wearer to hold the calash securely over her face while walking in the wind. A taste for simpler fabrics in the 1780s brought the more democratic styles that followed the French Revolution. Cotton was introduced as a fashion fabric. Simple cotton house bonnets ornamented with a separate ribbon became fashionable for all echelons of society. go to website hairstyles for women

In the early 1800s, straw bonnets were de rigueur, or socially obligatory. Inexpensive “bonnet board” was often used. It was made of cardboard, then pressed in a roller machine to create a design. Bonnet board was also a response to a lack of trade goods from Italy, the traditional source for quality straw bonnets. Experiments with silk-covered buckram also proved successful for creating bonnets. hairstylesforwomennow.net hairstyles for women

By 1830, bonnets grew to huge proportions. A large brim framed the wearer’s face from the front, but hid her profile from the side. A veil protected her identity as well as her delicate skin from the sun’s rays. Brim size decreased dramatically in the 1840s but still covered most of the wearer’s hair and much of her face. As a bonnet developed a peak, it would extend from the entire front of the bonnet, from the chin over the forehead and down the other side of the face. Some styles of bonnets had a large peak, which effectively prevented women from looking right or left without turning their heads, like the “coal-scuttle” or “poke” bonnet. Others had a wide peak, which was angled out to frame the face. In the 1840s it might be crimped at the top to frame the face in a heart shape. As the bonnet became more complicated, a lace cornette to hold the hair in place might be worn under the bonnet. From the mid-1850s the bonnet’s depth reduced to expose more of the face and hair. The “Bavolette” was a ribbon frill at the back of the bonnet. Its purpose was covering the neck, which was considered an erogenous zone in the mid-19th century. According to the Walford article, by 1860 parasols had become a fashion staple and bonnets, except for cold weather wear, became purely ornamental. Due to their reduced functionality, bonnets decreased in size throughout the decade. Styles included the “spoon” bonnet, named for its shallow shape. It had a peaked crown that could be decorated with a small bouquet of flowers. The bonnets remained one of the most common types of headgear worn by women throughout most of the 19th century. Silk bonnets, elaborately pleated and ruffled with fine fabric, were worn outdoors or in public places like shops, galleries, churches, and during visits to acquaintances. As parasols continued to take the place of bonnets for protection from the sun, bonnets became smaller and smaller, until they could only be held on the head with hatpins. As hats came back into style, bonnets were increasingly worn only by women who wanted to appear modest in public. Bonnets began to be known as dowager (a widow who owns a title or property) wear, and dropped from the fashion scene except on the prairies. Most middle-class women in the 19th century would have had at least two bonnets, one suitable for summer weather, often made from straw, and one made from heavier fabric for winter wear. Wealthier women would have many more bonnets, suitable for different occasions. The Market House Museum, 205 South Street in Goliad, is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Call 361-645-8767 for more information. Sonny Long is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact him at 361-275-6319 or cueroadv@vicad.com, or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

Sealing the deal

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 22 September 2011 09:38
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Jamie Welker (left) and Gary Ross (right) install a marble, porcelain and brass Power E logo near the west entrance of Memorial Union Monday afternoon. Country Carpet and Tile of Maple Hill supplied the logo and flooring material. Chris Franklin/The Bulletin

Higher prices don’t deter students from cafeteria

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 15 September 2011 08:59
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With a new cafeteria in the Memorial Union also come higher meal prices. Students now pay about 2 percent more per meal than they paid last year, and some find the price too high.

“It’s expensive,” said Craig Gilmore, junior accounting major. “I consider the lunch to be overpriced.”

But even though some students feel the price of food in the cafeteria is high, many continue to eat there.

Amanda Crabtree, freshman history education major, said she does not think the food is worth the price, but since she does not have a car, it is more convenient for her to eat on campus in the cafeteria.

“For the food that’s there, (the price) doesn’t seem right,” Crabtree said. “The variety could be larger and different from day-to-day – it could be changed up a little bit.”

Crabtree also said that she does not have to worry about food spoiling or finding proper storage in her dorm room because she eats in the cafeteria.

Emporia State offers three meal plan options – the 10-Block, consisting of ten meals a week for $2,610 per year; the 15-Block for $3,030 per year; and the All Access for $3,110 per year.

Last year, the 10-block plan cost $2,560; the 15-Block was $2,970; and the All Access plan was $3,050.

But Dave Hendricks, director of the Memorial Union, said that the increase in meal price happens every year, regardless of renovations.

The school must pay Sodexo, the company that handles all of ESU’s dining services, a per meal price. Each year a new rate is negotiated.

“Our goal is always to keep (prices) as low as possible,” Hendricks said.

Along with a price raise in meal plans, the cash rate for a single meal in the cafeteria was also increased. Hendricks said that previously this rate was $4, $5 and $6 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This rate is now at $6, $8, and $7, respectively.

Hendricks said with the renovations, the space has also become a better dining environment and there are now more food offerings.

“The spaces in the Union have far exceeded my expectations as far as the renovations,” Hendricks said.

While Gilmore said he does not choose to purchase a meal plan, he has eaten in the renovated cafeteria a few times and said that he thought it was better than the Kanza room, where the cafeteria was held during renovations.

Executive chef Saiket “Johny” Patwary said the increase in prices benefits both sides, since the cafeteria can now offer more varieties of better quality food. Patwary said the cafeteria now provides several food stations including the Grill with cheeseburgers and french fries, Classic with an entrée, a sandwich and salad bar, all day omelet and cereal stations, a pizza and pasta bar, a large waffle station and a variety of desserts.

Hendricks said that the cafeteria is the largest source of revenue for the union, and the increase in meal price helps fund different programs and keeps the operating fees, which every student pays separately, low.

Those without meal plans can save 10 percent on their purchases by putting money on their Hornet card, according to Hendricks and Patwary.

For those on the run, the cafeteria offers a “take-out” option. Students can ask for a to-go box and cup when they pay and then fill up on lunch and quickly head to work or class.

But students are not allowed to bring in outside food. Patwary said that this is due to health and safety precautions and is outlined in Sodexo’s contract.

Students are also not allowed to take additional food items out of the dining hall, such as a cookie or an apple. This provision is to prevent food illness, according to Patwary.

The agreement ESU currently has with Sodexo is up for renewal in 2019. Currently, their agreement says that Sodexo will be the official food service provider for the Union and that no events on campus can be catered by an outside company.

Brooke Schultz

Cafeteria makeover makes dining hall more efficient

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 01 September 2011 08:56
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Linda Sharples, a cook at the Hornet’s Nest, prepares samples of omelets during the cafeteria’s grand opening Wednesday afternoon. The special event offered free bites of various meals the Hornet’s Nest serves. Megan Gartner/The Bulletin

Before the recent renovations on Emporia State’s cafeteria in the Memorial Union, “inefficient” was a prominent word used to describe the dining hall. But The Hornets’ Nest has had a complete makeover.

“We were trying to do a 2010 system in a 1998 space,” said Dave Hendricks, Memorial Union director.

But now students and faculty can move through the cafeteria more quickly. With only 300 available seats and hundreds of hungry students, speed is a necessity.

“We really wanted to separate stations throughout the space to eliminate long lines,” Hendricks said.

The mission seems to be accomplished, Hendricks said. Not only is this new set-up time efficient but it also allows for hungry patrons to see their food being made as well as interact with the staff who make it.

“We have a good and caring production team who love interacting with students,” Hendricks said.

At Wednesday’s grand opening, students seemed to appreciate the cafeteria’s new layout.

“It’s a 1000 times better,” said Rachel Marshall, sophomore secondary education major.

Paige Moeder, sophomore undecided major, said she like the change.

“I think it’s really modern and classy,” Moeder said, “I love the windows.”

Another difference is the menu. Executive Chef Saiket “Johny” Patwary wanted the new menu to be healthier than before.

“I’m trying to educate students on what they are eating,” Patwary said.

He is also trying to help students with allergens by creating meals that are safe for them to consume. The stations consist of the grill, pizza and pasta, classics, breakfast, salad and sandwiches, as well as old favorites like rice and omelets.

The grand opening on Wednesday not only offered students and faculty a taste of the new food, but also a chance to win prizes donated by businesses around Emporia, including an iPod nano, a 21-speed mountain bike and smaller door prizes from the Memorial Union Bookstore, Genesis Health Club, Midas Touch Golden Tans and Caribbean Sun Tanning Salon.

The renovations on the lower level of the Union are expected to be finished as early as Thanksgiving. These renovations include the new offices for Career Services and International Education as well as an entrance to the Hornets’ Nest for the residents of The Towers complex. Hendricks said that the entire Union is scheduled to be completed by April 2012.

Khaili Scarbrough

Union renovations to improve building efficiency

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 28 April 2011 13:20
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The newly remodeled Webb Lecture Hall features wood floors, a new sound system and a new projection system. Chris Franklin/ The Bulletin

While students work towards finals week, constant changes are taking place in the Memorial Union as renovations continue.

“For the union, it really is a complete makeover,” said Dave Hendricks, director of the Memorial Union. “We are finally more energy efficient and for the university as a whole, what we are trying to do is to create a front door, a welcome center for the campus.”

The west side of the union will be completed this week and its final inspection is tomorrow afternoon.

“The ID office, the scheduling office, catering office and IT office have been in four separate locations throughout the building for years,” Hendricks said. “When we move into the new space, all of the services offered will be in one location. It will be more efficient for the students and allow us some redundancy so that we can cross-train employees.”

Hendricks said the dining hall will be completed in early August. Work is currently being done on the heating, electric and water lines as well as the air conditioning system.

Although it was still under construction, the Greek Banquet was the first event held in the partially renovated Webb Lecture Hall.

“Because of (the contractors’) extra efforts, we were able to host the Greek Banquet, which was very important in a lot of reasons,” Hendricks said. “One is to complete the cycle from old to new. Also it’s a small token to say ‘thank you’ for the campus as a whole.”

Hendricks said to ensure that the event ran smoothly, the union staff had to make sure the fire alarm and life safety systems were working and blocked off all the construction zones.

“(Webb Hall) is definitely more modern,” said Brent McCoy, junior secondary education major. “It looks more lively. Hopefully it will be a place with a lot more events and better-utilized space.”

Hendricks said the renovation project should be finished between April and June next year.

“If I were a new prospective student, I’d be more willing to come to ESU seeing (the renovated union),” said Heather McCoy, sophomore history major. “Compared to the rest of the campus, it is the prettiest. It is like the diamond of the school now.”

Huibing Lu

Sodexo to offer nutrition facts online

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 10 March 2011 14:10
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Janzen Maring, freshman biology major, and Tabitha Keast, freshman elementary education/pre-law major, eat lunch Monday afternoon in the Memorial Union Cafeteria. Alissa Miller/ The Bulletin

A website that will include nutritional facts for the cafeteria’s menu is currently underway as the Sodexo staff are working on making the information available for students online sometime after Spring Break.

“We are coming up with a website where students can get a hold of all the menus with the nutrition information,” said Saiket “Johnny” Patwary, Emporia State’s executive chef. “Our goal is to have it by the first of April.”
Patwary said that the tentative menu for the cafeteria is available on ESU’s website, but it does not include nutritional information.

But Patwary said the cafeteria is making an effort to serve healthier meals.

“The cafeteria is very nutritious,” Patwary said. “We are actually coming up with new recipes and more nutritional information for the students.”

Patwary said that students should also be aware that if they have a limit on the number of calories they can intake per day, they should contact him and he will help them determine what they can eat. The same help is available for those with allergies to peanuts, gluten and certain spices.
“We currently have four students that are allergic to gluten, so I do my best to come up with substitute menus and ideas for them,” Patwary said.

The cafeteria was forced to move its location to a smaller facility after Winter Break due to renovations in Memorial Union, and as a result, several students created a petition aimed at granting students a partial refund for their meal plans.

Although the petition was unsuccessful, students are still questioning the quality of food being served, particularly in regards to the nutritional value of meal options.

“(The food) has definitely improved, but for the money we pay I think we should get a better variety of nutritious food that tastes better,” said Angelica Mays, freshman elementary education major.

Currently, there are three meal plans. The cost of “All Access” is $3,050 for one year, the “15 Block” plan is $2,970 and the “10 Block” plan is $2,560.
Dave Hendricks, director of the Memorial Union, said that there will be a 1.98 percent increase in next year’s meal plans. Sodexo will receive 1.9 percent of the increase and the Union will receive the remaining .08 percent.
“The main reason is because the cost of doing business increases,” Hendricks said. “Our goal is to keep the retail rate, which is what the students pay, at its lowest possible.”
The agreement ESU currently has with Sodexo is up for renewal in 2019, Hendricks said. Currently, their agreement says that Sodexo will be the official food service provider for the Union and that no events on campus can be catered by an outside company.
“Because it’s on a college campus, I think people sometimes forget that it is still a business,” Hendricks said.

Samantha Jones

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