In an effort to make dining services more flexible and available to students, the Department of Residence Dining Services is creating new options and meal plans for the fall.

A major change will be the addition of the Hawthorn Court Market and Cafe within the new Community Center. Students, faculty and staff planning to live in Hawthorn Court, Buchanan Hall or off-campus may take part in the unique features offered.

“There are more choices,” said Kate Bruns, Department of Residence communications specialist. “Students can get deli sandwiches, smoothies and pizza everyday along with frozen entrees.”

Gourmet coffees, grilled and made-to-order sandwiches, rotisserie-prepared items and daily specialty items can be purchased with cash or Dining Dollars in the cafe.

Although students in Hawthorn Court have a stove, oven, refrigerator and microwave available, they can also take part in the dining halls and the new Market and Cafe which will be opening this fall. Customers will be able to purchase prepared meals to take home such as salads, pastas, sandwiches, side dishes and desserts.

Food products such as eggs, milk, butter and other grocery items will also be sold in the market.

“I think it will be really exciting and fun for the students,” said Kristi Patel, Hawthorn Market and Cafe Manager.

A main dining room indoors with seating around a bar, or counter type area, will also be around the food preparation area, she said.

“It is kind of a coffee house setting with couches, chairs, coffee tables and two fireplaces,” Patel said. “[Students] can take their books and study.”

The Hawthorn Court Market and Cafe will not be open 24 hours a day, but they will be serving for longer hours than students are used to in the dining halls.

Carol Petersen, food service manager, said students were involved in the decisions for the master plans of the residence halls. But she said they did not have a choice as to how many meals and Dining Dollars were available with what plan.

“We did that,” she said. “Stewart Burger determined those rates before he [retired]. He checked with other universities to see what was popular.”

Students not living in the residents halls can get 50 or 100 meals a semester to use at any dining service and can also purchase Dining Dollars.

James Brown, Hawthorn Court resident, said even though he will not live in Hawthorn Court this fall, he would have liked the deli option, some live entertainment and possibly the availability of alcohol at the Community Center.

While the services will be convenient, some other future residents are not sure they will be used often. “I think it’s a good idea, but I don’t know if Hawthorn people will use the market very often because we’ll be able to utilize our own vehicles and go to a real supermarket,” said Kristen Greiner, sophomore in pre-journalism and mass communication. Greiner will be living in Hawthorn Court next semester.

Brown, senior in art and design, said if other students and faculty use the facility frequently it will hinder the use for the residents because there would be too many people.

“I think it should be restricted to just those who live in Hawthorn Court,” he said. “But I don’t think it will be a total switch from eating in your apartment and making your own food.”

A brochure will be coming out in about two weeks to inform students of the options available for meals this fall, Bruns said.

“We feel that it will be more beneficial for the Hawthorn Court Residents,” she said. “It will be so convenient for them.”