New Cafeteria hours bring mixed feelings

Fall 2016 brought new hours to the MVNU cafeteria. Instead of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the cafeteria is now open 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This change was made to accommodate the varied schedules and evening activities of the student body including athletic team practices, night classes, clinicals, practicums and other campus activities.

Junior soccer player Aaron Russell believes the new hours are an improvement.

“It’s really nice. It gives us time to practice longer if we need it, and I like that all of the food stations are open when we’re done,” Russell said. “I like that I have time to relax.”

While some students are benefitting from this change, others have decided not to take advantage of the extra hour. Junior Kelsey Bryte, a member of the Cougar volleyball team, has not changed her eating schedule.

“It doesn’t affect me at all,” Bryte said. “I don’t go to the cafeteria after practice.”

Since the cafeteria can be open a maximum of 12 hours per day, MVNU, along with Pioneer Catering, made the decision to close for one hour during the time of lowest traffic. The hour was picked based on a survey distributed last year.

The change affects students who have classes until 2:10. Senior Dey’Veon Carter has had to change his snacking schedule because of it.

“I don’t like that I can’t go get a peanut butter and jelly sandwich after class. I’ve had to make some changes.”

Rob Stiltner, the director of Pioneer Catering at MVNU, says the new hours bring positives and negatives.