Wondering what is going on in the Residence Halls? How about the new menus in the Dining Hall? Worried about how increases in on-campus housing will affect you? Student Senate was too. On Sunday, February 25, Frank Cocchiarella, Residential Life Director and Sandy Marrotte, Director of Operations for Sodexho attended the Student Senate Meeting as guest speakers. Cocchiarella and Marrotte answered a series of questions e-mailed to them, as well as fielded questions from Student Senators regarding pertinent issues on campus. “Their presentation was very informative,” said Sean Greenlaw, Speaker of the Student Senate. “They were both very well prepared and answered the Senate’s questions to the fullest of their abilities.” Below is a partial list of questions compiled by Student Senate and answered by Cocciarella and Marrotte. -Samantha Kenney
Q: Can you speak to the rumors of Residential Life having a deficit, what is the actual state of Residential Life and what steps are being taken to correct this? A: Residential Life if doing fine this year. In next year’s budget we take on a lot of new debt from all the major improvements and this will affect next year’s rates. Dining, however, is a bit of a problem this year. In the change of contract, I did not account for all the extra costs and it is going to be tight. We have decided not to take anything away from this year’s current program but to make sure we keep a good eye on all expenses. It appears at this time we should be okay.
Q: Why were the student apartments not cleared of snow until the Monday after Wednesday’s storm? I’ve had students telling me that it was impossible for some students to get to classes and others slipped and fell, including a pregnant student. The big roads in the core were cleared, but there were six-inch paths in between apartments and those areas. Also, can you explain the zone ranking system as it pertains to Residential Life? A: In talking with the staff at Residential Life North and the director of physical plant, this should not happen. I believe discussion and plans are in place to improve this situation. In general, the director of Physical Plant received numerous positive comments about how well her staff cleared the campus for such a storm. One comment said the campus was much better than the rest of the town. However, I know she believes the students at the WMAC and Res-Life North should not have to wait so long. If you would like more detailed information feel free to contact physical plant (Jim Vossberg or Ellen Shippee.)
Q: Students in Pemi have experienced problems with the heat in their building (experiencing no heat in half the building, and too much heat in the other half of the building.) Is this being addressed?A: In talking with the Pemi RD and the manager of the heating operations on campus, they have not been made aware of any problems. The RD said she knew of some problems last year, but has not been approached about any problems this year. Physical Plant has not received any work orders in regards to this.
Q: Is there anything being done about the severe amount of solicitation happening in the residence halls and student apartments? There have been numerous complaints of unrecognized organizations and downtown businesses “dorm storming” our halls. What is Res-Life’s policy, and what can be done if a student notices it?A: The policy is no solicitation. Have you talked to the staff about this? Also, if someone is in the hall that does not belong and a Res-Life staff member is not available, you can call the police.
Q: Students appreciate the new varieties in the grill line at the Dining Hall, but there is only one choice available every night. Is there any possibility of being able to offer at least a limited amount of what is not on the “specials” list for students to have a choice? A: The grill is currently somewhat limited because of maintenance repair work being needed on the hood exhaust system. We apologize that this is taking some time but a rush order was put in, it just is taking some time. We are told it should be completed by the end of this week
Q: Is there any discussion on the process of being released from Residential Life contracts? I had constituents who did the paper work, even had documents notarized at a fee and were refused and dealt harshly from the Department. Is there going to be a policy for students who change residency closer to the school, or the cost of living on campus is too much to afford so they can be released from housing?A: If anyone asked about being released we are honest about the policy. Some are not happy with the answer but should not be surprised. We do not want to get their hopes up if it is not going to happen
Q: Do you feel it is fair with enforcing the policies for first and second years to live on campus to increase fees by almost 10% and make them hold a meal plan?A: The policy of requiring first and second year students on campus has been discussed at the cabinet and trustee level for several years now. With the finishing of Langdon Woods and the re-opening of Mary Lyon, the timing for enforcing this is critical. In regards to the costs, they are directly in line with the new construction, enhancements and improvements.
Q: Is there ongoing discussion about the myriad problems Langdon Woods has been experiencing? There have been reports of floods, heat not working, and the one kitchen being taken offline, so students without a meal plan can’t cook their food. What is being done to stop these issues?A: Notes from Janette Wiggett: No student rooms had any damage from the last flood, the heat concerns are very minimal if any, the kitchen was offline only for a very short period of time. They are actually quite pleased with the service and quick solution to problems this semester. If students have any concerns with Langdon Woods they should see Janette immediately.
Q: When did breakfast get pushed back from 10:45 to 11:00? Constituents have told me that they can’t get lunch before 11:00 at either On the Go or the Snack Bar, and there is concern from students who don’t have time to get lunch in between. Also, if you only have time for On the Go, you can’t get breakfast for lunch if you got breakfast first, so why doesn’t breakfast start at 10:45 as it has in the past (and is advertised at?)A: According to our Dining Staff it does switch at 10:45.
Q: There have been some concerns about perishables at the Dining Hall left out and tasting sour (specifically the butter on Tuesday.) Is there any way to keep these things cold during dinner? A: The margarine is new at breakfast and then new again between 2:30 and 3:00. They are stored in containers that are cooled.
Q: There were problems in the beginning of the semester with work orders not being completed. Have these issues been resolved?A: The Residential Life and Physical Plant staff makes it a priority to respond to student work orders promptly. We are aware of a few delays in Winterim in the WMAC and have worked to rectify this. If anyone has a concern about work orders not being responded to please let us know immediately (Physical Plant and Res- Life.)
Q: Why has On the Go (formally Fast Takes) started only allowing students to get one meal during meal times? Did something change from the block plans we started with? A: Actually, that is what the policy was always supposed to be. We grew lax about it and students would abuse it, so we started enforcing the policy again. With the block plan, though, you still can get numerous meals at numerous locations throughout the day.
Q: Is there any discussion on bringing back the Coffeemate machine to Langdon Woods? Constituents have expressed that due to the short time the Woods Cafe was open, this amount of time was too short to make a decision to remove it like that based on the comments from the Commons Cafe. A: Starbucks and Seatle’s Best standards are cream and milk. I believe the other program was temporary. In addition the Langdon Woods setup is not conducive to that program.
Q: Is Mary Lyon going to be ready for the Fall of ’07? What is Res. Life’s back-up plan in case it is not complete?A: That is what we have been promised. Actually, I am quite confident we will be ready. This is not at all like Langdon Woods, the schedule was never as tight to begin with and we are way ahead from where we were at this time last year. If a catastrophe were to occur we would improvise. Same scenario would occur if any of our buildings for some reason were not ready for the fall.
Q: What is going on with the Cash to Card machines? Is there still talk about removing them completely, or is that going to be put on hold?A: Yes! New and improved. The equipment and program is out dated. The new program will have laundry and vending on your regular Flex-cash program.
Q: Can there be comment cards placed in the Snack Bar for students? Both my constituents and I have had things we’ve wanted to say and nowhere to put it.A: Yes! They are looking at a new program and the equipment for this should be in place shortly. Keep your eyes open and then share with us your thoughts and ideas.
Q: How are the meal plans being used? Is there any talk of new ones rolling out next year, or another increase in Flex Cash as there has been in the past four years?A: The feedback from students is that the current program is working well. No major changes are expected. We do plan on making vending and laundry on line like the rest of food service Flex-cash. Because of this, and to make it more convenient for the majority of students, the regular meal plans will all have an extra $50 in flex for these purposes.