O’Brien to discuss dining hall changes at Student Senate meeting

Photo description: A Senate meeting is well attended as students listen to the new business the senate officers have to announce

Photo credit: Kayla Korb

Nora Betts

Sower Staff

Chartwells’ Director of Dining Services Patrick O’Brien will give a presentation at the Student Senate’s Oct. 10 meeting about changes at the dining hall and Dog House Grill, Senate officers reported Tuesday.

O’Brien spoke to the Senate last semester about the changes he planned to make over the summer, and next week he will go through them and hear student responses.

O’Brien promised the Senate last semester that he would institute the Swipe Plus program, which deducts the value of a meal swipe from limited, pre-packaged menu items purchased at the Dog House Grill. O’Brien also said he would add variety to the food options in the dining hall, for example, alternating the food served at the stir fry station.

Senate officers encouraged Senate representatives to bring their friends to next week’s meeting.

President Aaron Fosse said students should “listen to the rumor mills that are going around” about the food on campus and come prepared with questions for O’Brien.

Vice President Victoria Perry said students should use the opportunity to share their concerns.

“A lot of people like to say stuff about Janzow [but don’t] show up to bring it up,” said Perry.

Treasurer Alec Johnston said that showing up to the Senate meeting is the best way for students to share their feedback.

“Patrick has been very receptive of feedback ever since he started here, so if you want to see something changed, say it directly to him,” Johnston said.

O’Brien began working at Concordia in March after the death of Chartwells’ previous director, Bob Agee. O’Brien has 13 years of experience in university food service, is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, and has three pro-chef graduate-level certifications.

Mural by Founders Hall

Fosse said that the Senate will ask the Art Club to paint murals on four small brick walls beside Founders Hall. He said the Art Club will come up with designs for the murals and Senate representatives will vote on their favorites.

Fosse said it has not yet been determined whether the cost of the murals will come from the Senate’s budget or the Art Club’s budget.