Interviews by Sierra

Who: Ryan Coe
Major: Business
Year: Junior


I decided to see what an upperclassman's point of view on the C4C would be, so I asked my neighbor what his feelings are.


Me: Have you eaten at the new C4C yet?
Ryan: I've eaten at the cafe, not the dining hall.


Me: I ate at the dining hall once. I thought it was so much better than what we had last year. How do you feel about not being able to use the C4C like all the freshman can as part of their meal plan?
Ryan: I'm pissed! I think that it's pretty unfair. It's bull---.


Me: Was building the C4C a wise use of CU's money?
Ryan: Not really.


Me: What else could we have put the money towards instead?
Ryan: Improving the rec center. I know that they have plans for reconstruction, but my year definitely won't be able to use it by the time they finish it. They should have started it instead of the C4C.


Me: Would you consider buying a meal plan for the C4C?
Ryan: Probably not.


Me: Why not?
Ryan: Because I live off campus, I buy my own food. Well, maybe I'd get a 5 meals a week plan.


Me: What else could improve the building to encourage upperclassman use?
Ryan: Maybe some more sweet study space. I'd definitely go if there were cool study rooms.




Who: Juergen Friese
Position: Coordinator for Dining Facilities


Me: How long have you worked at the CU dining services for?
JF: 21 years


Me: What do you think the general student feelings are towards the C4C?
JF: Very positive. There is a strong sense of community since the building is used in so many different ways. Besides the student services offered, there are some very cool common spaces for student to hang out and study. The dining center is not only open to first year students living in Housing, but also the larger community. Munch Money, Campus cash and credit cards are accepted to allow the entire campus community to enjoy a meal.


Me. Is the C4C cost-affective? For instance, is the big price tag paying off in terms of use and positive feedback?
JF: I believe it is, especially since the building is funded through a combination of revenues from auxiliaries such as dining, parking services, and private donations.
   The Center for Community has emerged as a critical part of the university’s strategic plan, Flagship 2030, which reflects the value we place on preparing students with a foundation of cultural knowledge, intercultural understanding, and community engagement.
   In addition to the many potential CU donors that have toured the building, we have seen a strong interest from other Universities and institutions.


Me: Did the dining services team conduct research to see what students would like in the C4C before its construction?
JF: Yes. Many campus-wide focus groups allowed ample opportunities for input. We also contacted and visited many other Colleges and Universities about some of their recent projects to find out what works well for a campus community.


Me: Is there room for future improvements in terms of CU’s budget and the building’s space?
JF: We are always happy to hear suggestions on potential improvements.


Me: Do you believe that student use will go down once all the hype of the newness of the building fades?
JF: There will certainly be some fluctuation. Many factors play into the decision where to eat. Proximity to living quarters and/or work place; weather, available time; gathering with friends; type of meal expected (natural/organic, grab n’ go, sit down meal); variety of meal choices.
   Overall, I expect that the Center for Community will remain a busy hub for many years to come.


Me: One last question. Have you tried the food there or do you regularly eat there? What’s your opinion on the food?
JF: I eat at C4C several times a week, partly because my office is in this building. As a trained chef, I have high expectations of all our dining centers and I continue to enjoy seeing how our food has evolved over the years. The various venues at C4C are doing an outstanding job keeping the food choices fresh and true to the recipes.