Many students utilize the Student Union Building for everything from attending an event in the SUB Ballroom to meeting up with a study group in the downstairs lounge. One part of the SUB that is not utilized by students is the small cafeteria space on the first floor adjacent to the UI visitor center.
It is well known around campus that the location is in a permanent state of transition. The area has held a number of private food companies, many of which have had to close down and move to other venues. Furthermore, this valuable space is often left vacant for an extended period of time before the next tenant moves in. This happened last year when local hot dog vendor New York Johnny closed down after fall semester, and left the area vacant for the next five months.
The past companies that have occupied this location have limited store hours, which often occur during the middle of the day. However, many students do not come to the SUB in the middle of the day, they often eat lunch in the Idaho Commons or at other dining places. Many of the administrators simply walk across the street to Starbucks to get their morning coffee or afternoon snack. These limited hours restrict these companies from getting more customers, since the hours often conflict with class hours and school hours.
Despite the failure of past food companies, Curry in a Hurry, an Indian cuisine shop, has decided to move in. Their hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
UI must come to the realization that food vendors do not succeed in this location, and then find a permanent use for this space.
UI could expand the lounge space on the first floor and turn the location into an extra lounge space. The space could turn into a serious study area with large tables for group projects and proper desks. Perhaps the new space could be used for an extra conference room or new offices. There are a variety of uses this space could have, and almost anything would be better than leaving the space in a continued state of transition.
Unfortunately, all of these plans require one thing UI is short of, funds.
Although new plans would certainly be more beneficial to the UI student body, it would cost much more money than to let another vendor close.
This location should add to UI, not diminish it, and right now it is doing just that.
Ryan Tarinelli
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