Big changes coming soon to a food court near you

Work is already underway to renovate the UNO Student Center's food court in time for the fall semester. The renovation aims to update the look and feel of the food court, said Milo Bail Student Center Director Jim Welch.Construction began May 7 and the new food court is scheduled to be up and running by Aug. 27. It will resemble the library renovation with its earth tones and booths, and is financed by the 1993 Series Surplus Fund, according to a Board of Regents resolution.

"The old food court was actually designed 13 years ago," said Welch. "Students wanted a look of a mall, times have changed. To me it looks so institutional there, [like] a high school cafeteria."

Once completion is reached, the new food court will have two plasma televisions, booths for seating and 12 computer kiosks. The booths, similar to the Criss Library addition, will have hookups for both power and Internet for laptop users.

The project will cost about $900,000 and will not include an overhaul of the actual food services, said Welch. Paragon is the contractor working on the renovation.

"In the server area there will be a lot more grab and go items for students on the run with no time to sit down, but no other changes to the food," he said.

Student President/Regent Alex Williams was part of the process, presenting Welch's plans to student government representatives. Williams said he was very pleased with the positive feedback his office had received.

"It's something we've needed for a great deal of time," said Williams.

While many students have never stepped foot in the food court, a new, modernly renovated one will be good for the university and its image, said senior finance banking major Joel Nath.

"I don't think it's a bad thing, anything to help the university, especially for incoming freshman, is good," said Nath. "I'll probably at least visit it.