U-Council reviews Frist food prices, campus renovations

During their first meeting of the year yesterday, U-Council members centered their discussion on the Frist Campus Center, addressing both its early success and opening glitches.

Campus center director Paul Breitman said he believes Frist, especially the extensive dining portion, has become an important part of campus life.

Whether snatching a late lunch or staying awake with a late-night cup of coffee, more than 2,700 students pass through the "food gallery" per day, Director of Dining Services Stu Orefice said.

Orefice said while students generally are excited about the campus center, two main complaints have surfaced — the high prices in the dining area and the lack of signs giving directions.

Though prices have been lowered twice in response to student criticisms, according to Orefice, several U-Council members said they had not known about the changes prior to the meeting.

The reductions were instituted after the initial testing week and then following the first week of full operation, though Orefice did not specify how much prices were lowered.

In addition, specials have been instituted at each of the four food venues for every meal, Orefice noted. Unfortunately, these 16 to 20 percent discounts are going unnoticed by many because they are poorly advertised, he said.

Breitman and Orefice emphasized throughout the meeting that Frist is continuing to improve its services in response to feedback from users and through continued meetings of the University's dining committee.

Also at the meeting, President Shapiro addressed his own imminent departure in an informational speech that touched on how the search for a new president will be carried out.

U-Council members also discussed the widespread building and restoration initiatives on campus, including renovations to Dillon Gymnasium, Firestone library, the E-Quad, as well as construction on a sixth residential college.

USG president PJ Kim '01 also outlined his student life initiative. As part of the program, task forces of five or six students each will focus on five different areas — health services, athletics, performing groups and venues, student organizations and human relations.

Kim said the heads of these committees hope their reports — which should be completed before the next University president assumes office — will have a significant impact on the quality and understanding of campus life.