While Syracuse University students were away for the summer, Graham Dining Center and Shaw Hall received makeovers to improve accessibility and the overall student experience.

Located between Day and Flint halls, Graham was renovated this summer with updates to lighting and finishes, kitchen equipment, the sound system, flooring and seating, said Lynne Mowers, secretary to the director of Food Services.

A new handicap accessible entry and new food stations were also created, Mowers said in an email. There will be more cook-to-order opportunities for students and separate areas for gluten-free and vegan cuisine, she said.

Graham also followed in the footsteps of Sadler Dining Center by becoming a tray-less dining hall. Sadler eliminated trays last year, and Mowers said the move is in alliance with SU’s sustainability initiative.

The renovations were part of Food Services’ multiyear major maintenance schedule, Mowers added, which includes renovations and upgrades to dining areas and equipment. One of the focuses of the project was to add more dining options for students, she said.

Madeline Hoyle, a sophomore sport management major who lived in Flint Hall last year, said this focus will help put Graham on the same level with other dining centers.

“Going to eat at Ernie, it felt like there were more options, so the made-to-order stations are a great idea because it’s adding more variety,” Hoyle said.

Sarah Peck, a sophomore magazine journalism and biology dual-major who also lived in Flint Hall last year, said she is excited to return to Graham Dining Center, despite not living in either Day or Flint this year.

“I liked how Graham was not overwhelming and I hope it remains that way,” Peck said. “Whenever I go to Ernie, I can never seem to figure out what I want to eat because there are too many options.”

But Peck added that the made-to-order options “can be really nice, as evident by the huge lines they attract.”

In addition to these changes, Shaw Hall underwent the third phase of a four-year renovation project during the summer.

Renovations were made on the second and third floors of Shaw, which has five floors, said Eileen Simmons, director of Housing, Meal Plans and ID Card Services, in an email. She said the student rooms, lounges and hallways were all renovated. A second elevator was installed with service to all floors and the dorm’s exterior window replacements were completed, she said.

Last year’s renovations to Shaw included a roof replacement, a new elevator shaft and improvements to the upper two floors of the building, Simmons said.

She said the final phase of the project will be done next summer, but part of this year’s construction was laying the foundation for next year’s efforts.

“The initial work of foundation and structural modifications for a new common entry facing Euclid Avenue has been completed, paving the way for the new entry addition to be completed with all remaining work next summer,” Simmons said.

She added that the vision of the project was focused on entry and circulation within Shaw, which has a dining hall as well as dorm rooms.

“The vision was to open the facility toward Euclid Avenue and provide a single entry that allowed access to the dining hall for all without the need to circulate through more private areas where the students reside,” Simmons said.

Sophomore civil engineering major Paul Marino, who lived in Shaw last year, said the new entry will improve the experience of students living there.

“Only being able to enter and leave from one door in the building was very annoying and because I lived on the opposite side of the building from the main entrance, it took forever to leave,” he said.

Other SU students who lived in Shaw last year said it was a good experience, but it could have used some renovations, specifically to the elevator system.

“Shaw was one of the best parts of my freshman year, but it needed some work.” said Michaela Hilgers, a sophomore bioengineering and neuroscience major. “Overall from what I’ve heard about the renovations, they were necessary — especially the elevator. It would take 15 minutes to get to the third floor if it came at all.”

Blueprints and floor plan pictures will be placed in the Shaw main lounge for students and parents to see all the changes, Simmons said.

 

Published on August 20, 2014 at 1:05 am

Contact Justin: jmatting@syr.edu | @jmattingly306