NuCuisine backtracked on its decision to cut down dinner hours at Norris University Center on Wednesday, announcing temporary food options to hold students over until the new Subway location opens.
In an email to The Daily, a Northwestern official wrote that North Shore Pizza Company will sell baked pasta from 3-7 p.m. beginning Thursday. The pizza will also be 50 percent off. The Indian food station in Willie’s Food Court will remain open until 7 p.m.
“Since we were not able to open Subway in time for the new school year, we wanted to provide the following temporary options to the Northwestern community before Subway opens,” wrote James McHaley, director of marketing for Student Affairs.
Steve Mangan, district manager for nuCuisine, said the modified hours are the result of a “joint decision” made Wednesday by the leadership at Norris.
The changes came a day after The Daily reported that existing Willie’s Food Court stations were set to close at 3 p.m. this quarter — instead of the usual 7 p.m. — thanks to slow sales. Frontera Fresco, which touted late-night hours when it opened last year, will also stop serving students at 7 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. Paws ‘n Go C-store and North Shore Pizza Company will maintain their normal hours of 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
(nuCuisine reduces hours for food court, Frontera Fresco)
Subway — set to replace Windy City Deli, nuSushi and Big Ten Cafe — will boast later hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. once it opens.
(ASG, students offer mixed views on new Subway in Norris)
Alex Van Atta, Associated Student Government executive vice president, told The Daily on Tuesday that ASG was not involved in the University’s decision to cut dinner hours. However, he said he spoke to Norris executive director Kelly Schaefer on Wednesday about how to make sure students have a say in future changes.
“I think this is really reflective just of their willingness to work with students on making sure we are happy with our experience at Norris,” Van Atta said of officials introducing the new temporary options. “It’s all about making sure the right avenues are in place for making students’ opinions heard now.”
Van Atta said he saw figures for hourly traffic in Willie’s Food Court that confirmed business was slow. Fewer than 100 people checked out with purchases from the food stations per hour, he said.
ASG will wait to determine whether Norris needs more late night options until after Subway opens, Van Atta said, noting that students can always submit suggestions on Campus Voice or via email to ASG president Ani Ajith and him.
Brad Stewart (Medill ’13), Van Atta’s predecessor, took to Facebook to encourage students to reach out to ASG.
“Though this doesn’t impact me anymore, this is really embarrassing for Northwestern University. For a University that claims to put undergraduates first, this is a disappointing and cheap maneuver,” Stewart posted earlier Wednesday about the restricted hours. “I hope Associated Student Government (ASG) takes up this issue and proves to students what a strong advocate for our student body it can be.”
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Twitter: @mcorriston
