SRU to feature modified dining options for fall 2020 semester
Boozel Dining Hall at Slippery Rock University will be open for takeout only during the fall 2020 semester.
Aug. 5, 2020
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — Like most public eating options, the dining experiences at Slippery Rock University won't be the same compared to before the coronavirus pandemic. But SRU students, faculty and staff can still plan to get their fill of a variety of fare while on campus when fall semester classes begin Aug. 17.
AVI Fresh, the SRU's contracted food vendor, is poised to again feed the campus community, albeit with slight modifications to hours and facilities, as well as increased safety and sanitary measures.
"Students can still expect the same level of hospitality and quality that they've been accustomed to at SRU," said David Uram, director of operations for AVI Fresh. "We're still very proud of the program and the food offerings, and our team members are excited to have people walk through the doors again. As we navigate through this pandemic environment, we appreciate everyone's patience and their flexibility as we move forward."
In most instances, dining in will be replaced by takeout options and condiments will be applied behind the service line rather than by the customer. Many of the changes, according to Uram, are to accommodate safety precautions and to meet the scaled back demand, as there will be fewer resident students on campus compared to pre-pandemic semesters.
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Boozel Dining Hall will be open daily for takeout only, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mondays-Fridays; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays; and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays.
Boozel Express will be closed, but Umami, the concept restaurant previously available in the Weisenfluh Dining Hall, will operate in the Boozel Express space, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mondays-Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Fridays.
"The biggest change is that all of Boozel will no longer be dine-in; it will be takeout only," Uram said. "We've also implemented social-distancing protocols with markings on the floors and directions for one way in and one way out (traffic patterns)."
The Boozel food stations will be nearly identical as in semesters past, including salad, deli, homestyles and desserts with pastries and ice cream, but some previous stations will be combined. Dining options will also still be available for those with vegan, vegetarian, allergen, gluten-free sensitivities and preferences.
All utensils and containers will be disposable and hand sanitizers will be available upon entering the facilities. Additionally, the AVI Fresh staff has increased its sanitization in all areas, including more frequent disinfecting of high-contact surfaces. Students are encouraged to use the GET app on their mobile devices to complete touchless transactions.
AVI Fresh plans to further integrate the GET app, which can be linked to students' meal plan accounts, so that students can order food from Umami prior to arrival.
Dining options at the Smith Student Center will be limited to Starbucks takeout only. Starbucks' hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays-Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays-Sundays. Quaker Steak and Lube and Rocky's will be closed, but AVI Fresh and SRU administrators will evaluate the need as the semester progresses and could potentially open either or both locations.
Weisenfluh Dining Hall will also be closed, but a portion of the dining hall could reopen if and when needed.
AVI Fresh's other to-go locations on campus that will be closed include T&B Naturally, the café inside Bailey Library; Flatz Express in Watson Hall; and Campus Drive Grill, across the street from Weisenfluh, adjacent to North Hall.
"The decision to use Boozel Dining Hall as our main building for dining allows us the ability to control the potential spread of the virus," Uram said. "The health of our students, faculty and staff is our top concern."
For more information about dining options at SRU, including hours of operation, visit the AVI Fresh website. For additional questions, call 724.738.4529.
For questions about meal plans, call 724.738.2038 or email dining@sru.edu.
MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu