Students weigh in on changes to hours at Murray-Dodge Café

“Dedicated to the fine art of being open,” the sign outside of Murray-Dodge Café reads. But this September, Murray-Dodge’s hours have been cut nearly in half.

In previous years, Murray-Dodge has been open from noon to midnight nearly every day; last year, its hours changed to 3 p.m. to midnight every day. Due to steep budget cuts, its opening hours have been reduced to 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.

The cafe is located in the basement of Murray-Dodge Hall, which also houses the Office of Religious Life and several campus ministries. It is a popular study and social space among students, especially late at night, and serves free fresh-baked cookies, coffee, and tea.

In addition to the cuts to hours, some student workers were laid off and all remaining workers’ hours were cut, according to emails to student workers obtained by The Daily Princetonian. A student worker at Murray-Dodge, Kenzy Elshazly ’26, told the ‘Prince’ that students would be working two-hour shifts once or twice a week rather than three-and-a-half-hour shifts twice a week.

Hour-long Sunday meetings, which had previously been paid, have also been cut.

Elshazly has previously written for the Sports section of the ‘Prince.’

The reduction in Murray-Dodge’s hours comes amid closures of other campus cafes, as well as budget-related cuts in a number of the University’s programs and activities. Student employment and hours at several campus libraries have also been reduced.

Both student workers and regular attendees at Murray-Dodge expressed disappointment over the reduced hours.

“I understand that it’s a non-essential service of the University, so it’s going to be one of the first things to get cut since we’re losing funding,” said John Morgan ’28. “But I’m quite sad, because I’ve definitely made friends hanging out in Murray-Dodge or working with friends in Murray-Dodge.”

Late-night Murray-Dodge studiers will have to find a new space. “The fact that it’s closing at 9:30 p.m. is kind of bad, because I often don’t start work until around then some nights,” Morgan said.

“I think it’s a great community space and study space,” Morgan said. “I’m quite sad that the hours are decreasing.”

Eojin Park is an assistant News editor for the 'Prince'. She typically covers town politics.