More Student Opinions

Allison's Survey Skills

I surveyed students around the UMC, or University Memorial Center. The students were made up mostly sophomores, juniors, and seniors. I asked students what year they were, if they ate in the dining halls, which was their favorite if they did, and why. 50 students were surveyed. This group was comprised of five freshmen, 10 sophomores, 12 juniors, 18 seniors, and five graduate students. Among these students, only 30 ate at the dining halls either on a regular basis or occasionally with friends. The 20 students who did not eat at the dining halls were made up of the following:
1 freshmen
4 sophomores
5 juniors
9 seniors
1 graduate student
These students did not eat at the dining halls either because they do not have a meal plan or they ate in the dorms only their freshmen year. Some students chose to eat at the UMC's Alferd Packer Grill instead because it is conveniently located and accepts Campus Cash.
Among the students that did eat at the dining halls, the majority of them preferred the C4C. Only one senior and one junior preferred Sewall, noting that their food "has always been awesome." The students who preferred the C4C were made up of the following:
4 freshmen
6 sophomores
6 juniors
8 seniors
4 graduate students
I observed the following trends as to why students preferred this dining hall over others:
1. They have the largest variety of food to choose from
2. The quality of food is better
3. They like the design and its convenient location to their classes
4. It is new and clean
5. It incorporates their favorite parts of other dining halls that were taken away, such as Cheyenne Arapahoe's excellent Grab-and-Go.

What Some Students Think

Sierra's Survey Skills

I tried my hand at conducting surveys around campus today. I had a pile of 50 with the set of questions my group agreed upon. The questions included what age the person is, if they ate at the dining halls or not, which one they prefer, and why it is their favorite. I got back 32 surveys after distributing them around the outside of the C4C and Ferrand grab-and-go. A small sample size, but it provided the following information:

1. Upperclassman with meal plans preferred the C4C to the other dining halls.
2. Freshman preferred other dining halls to the C4C.
3. People who preferred the C4C said it always had a variety of choices, and people who liked the other dining halls liked the menu rotation choices.
4. The favorite dining hall outside of the C4C was Libby, specifically for breakfast.
5. 7 out of the 20 kids who favored the C4C said it was because of the idea of the building (including location and because it is new) while the remaining fraction based their decision off of the quality of the food (including variety and convience).

There were 6 freshman, 14 sophomores, 9 juniors, and 3 seniors in my sample. After personally talking with a few of the kids I found that the C4C was mostly popular due to the atmosphere of the building and the sense of community. I personally am jealous of all the freshman who have more dining options now than I had!

FOOD

The Center for Community is an incredible building, but what really interested us in exploring the new addition to campus was the food offered at the new dining hall. Housing and Dining Services states that, "this state-of-the-art dining center offers an exciting fusion of community and cultural dining experiences. This location offers 8 restaurants that create a culinary experience for customers that both educates and engages the senses." --http://housing.colorado.edu/dining/locations-hours/center-community-dining

Here are the food stations featured in the dining area of the Center for Community:

1. Asian Shi Pin
-Includes Eastern favorites such as stir-fry and dim sum, all created by a wok chef.
-Hours:
Breakfast Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Breakfast Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Lunch and Dinner Monday-Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

2. Black Coat
-This "restaurant" features creative culinary creations and trends that "emphasize small bites of intense flavors."
-On Saturdays and Sundays, omelets are made to order til 10:30 a.m.
-Hours:
Monday-Friday from 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-2:00p.m. and 5:00-8:00 p.m.

4. Italian Cibo
-Includes brick-oven pizzas, homemade pastas, and  build-your-own pasta bowls made fresh before your eyes by Center for Community chefs.
-Hours:
Monday-Friday from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Buffet line closed from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday same hours.

5. Kosher
-Meals following Kosher guidelines
-Hours:
Monday-Thursday from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Friday from 11:00-2:00 p.m.

6. Latin Comida
-This station includes made-to-order burritos and other latin dishes. Fresh tortillas are also made right before your eyes.
-Hours:
Lunch and Dinner Monday-Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Breakfast Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Monday-Sunday buffet line closed from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

7. Persian ghaza
-This station features a flatbread bar with dips, spreads, and preserves for dipping as well as hand-made kebabs and stews.
-Hours:
Monday-Friday from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Sunday same hours
Saturday closed

8. Sushi
-Hand-rolled sushi made from fresh vegetables, meat, and seafood.
-Hours:
Monday-Friday from 11:00 a.n.-2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday closed

9. Smoke 'n Grill
-Includes comfort food, and items such as ribs, pork loin, and Mahi Mahi cooked on the smoker.
-Hours:
Monday-Friday from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

10. Wholesome Fields Salad Bar
-60 feet of fresh fruits, vegetables, soups, salads, and lunch meats.
-Hours:
Monday-Friday from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

11. Deserts
-Features everything you need to satisfy your sweet tooth including cakes, pies, fresh-baked goods, and an ice cream sundae bar.
-Hours:
Monday-Friday from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

--http://housing.colorado.edu/dining/locations-hours/center-community-dining

Background Information on the C4C

• According to the Center for Community's website, "The Center for Community reflects the value we place on preparing students with a foundation of cultural knowledge, intercultural understanding, and community engagement."  --http://www.colorado.edu/centerforcommunity/
• Cost: $84,432,939
• The Center for Community features:
• A new dining area with seating for 900 persons
• Student Services including Career Services, International Education, Counseling and Psychological Services, and the Buff One Card Office.
• Student Advocacy Center
• Meeting Rooms
• Underground parking facilities featuring 375 spaces and above ground parking featuring 50 spaces
• 323,000 gross square feet
• Designed to achieve LEED-Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for environmental sustainability-certification
• Features of the new Dining Area:
• Seating for 900 people
• Cooking styles from different regions of the world
• Ten cooking stations that all feature live chefs
• Walk-up meal pick-up
• A late night eatery in which students can get pizza, paninis, subs, salads, and desserts
• Outdoor dining area
• Coffee, drinks, pasteries, breads, and croissants all homemade from the Bakery located downstairs

--http://www.colorado.edu/centerforcommunity/