In the past four years, we have seen change: an almost unilateral upgrade in all of our facilities concerning student life. There are plans in the works with the East Campus Athletic Project, providing students with the finest available athletic facilities. Freshman dorms have been upgraded, along with the Commons and the landscaping surrounding the freshman dorms. All of these renovations have substantially increased the standard of living and the quality of our life as students.
As a Union, we have directly benefited from The Rensselaer Plan and the current Renaissance. We will have state of the art athletic facilities, and we have enjoyed freshman classes that have filled our clubs and organizations with new-found vigor and passion. Rensselaer’s leaders are committed to making the Rensselaer experience more meaningful and pleasing to students every day.
I have worked with business operations in the Union for over two years now. Last year I chaired the Business Operations Committee, where we spent the year collecting data, discussing options, and taking surveys to get student feedback and initiate change for the better. As President of the Union I had the opportunity to view the planning process that went into the proposed upgrades and future of hospitality services on our campus.
During my campaign, I spoke to hundreds of students concerning the Union, so I feel confident to talk on the subject of business operations and the future of food service in the Union. If there is one thing I concluded from my experiences, it is that we need to update our food services options and facilities.
This would have been done last year, but the Union does not have the financial resources to make such a tremendous investment. Luckily, Sodexho began planning for a new contract and plan for dining on campus.
Sodexho has built a long lasting relationship with Rensselaer and the Union in particular. Their primary concern has been student satisfaction, and we have always enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship. As far as the Union is concerned, we both recognize the opportunity to offer a wider variety of food selections and hours along with a facilities upgrade. This will have the biggest impact on student life, offering comprehensive dining options to all students, while decreasing the activity fee through food service revenues.
Currently, many students have a meal plan or eat at their fraternity or sorority. Imagine a comprehensive food program, placed in the Rathskellar, which could meet the needs of our students without meal plans. Imagine one with a variety of food, different seating options, and an inviting atmosphere, while maintaining our current games area and possibly incorporating the spaces to improve flow and utility of the Rathskellar.
Sodexho has proposed to make this a reality, and will hopefully be able to begin this winter so that current students can benefit from the renovations. Sodexho has worked tirelessly for the most complete and comprehensive solution for student hospitality, consulting students and outside professionals alike. A couple weeks ago, a conceptual presentation was given to students by an outside firm to gain feedback.
The proposed changes were made by individuals with no previous information of the Union’s history in order to gain an outside of the box perspective. These fresh ideas get students thinking in creative ways, to consider every option to get the best possible outcome. The designer had no idea of any “sacred spaces” that currently exist for the purpose of considering new options, previously hidden due to the bias we have as daily members of the campus.
The Union will always be our Union, and that will never change. There will never be an outside organization that will come in and “take over” our building. The Union will always offer not only food service options, but a place that we can all enjoy for relaxation, entertainment, and most importantly to call our own.
We will only make changes for the better, and Sodexho has done nothing but put students first and has given us the opportunity to make the Union a brighter, friendlier, and more appealing space where students have dining options and a better quality of life on campus.
Sodexho has proposed significant investment in our Union, upgrades and changes that an activity fee could never adequately provide for. The very notion that the new plans for the hospitality services in the Union will hurt students is simply wrong. The McNeil Room will continue to be a performing space for groups who would like to hold concerts, plays, cultural events. It will remain a study space for all hours during the week.
The Rathskellar is an area that could be a premiere destination for students looking to grab a bite to eat and play a game of pool. The Union stands to benefit more than any other party involved concerning proposed changes, and I will always stand for the best interest of the student now, and in the future.
