Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Russell House renovations to continue through fall semester BY CHRIS FOY THE GAMECOCK When classes begin, return ing students aren’t expected to see a lot of change in the Russell House — yet. Over the next two years, however, stu dents will witness an extensive renovation of their student union. By Aug. 17, phase one of the Russell House Renovation Project is expected to be com plete. Phase one involves mov ing the mailboxes downstairs to the Carolina Mall. Phase two entails finishing the new mailbox area as well as the new location for the game room, which will begin after fall semester begins. Moving the mailboxes down stairs is part of the Russell House’s new layout, which will feature not only the mail sta tion downstairs, but also a Quick Copy area, a print shop and perhaps a Mailboxes Etc. “Essentially, this is de signed to bring about a much better organized and central ized Russell House post office operation,” said Helen Zeigler, USC director of Business Affairs. The redesign for the Russell House is meant not only to give the building a newer look, but also to make the services more efficient. With the removal of the mailboxes, this fall the first floor lobby will begin its trans formation to a food court. Over the next couple of months, Carolina Styles, and the Student Government offices will be cleared out to make the first floor lobby exclusively food services. In addition, “I think everyone agrees this building is a maze, and that’s what we’re trying to rectify.” JOHN OGLE RUSSELL HOUSE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS there are plans to increase seating in the Grand Market Place. John Ogle, assistant direc tor for operations in the Russell House, noted that the construction project will be on going. “There will be visible con struction going on the first floor lobby in the ffrst semester,” Ogle said. “But when it’s done, it will leave our students with more food options, more attractive din ing establishments and make the building brighter with more natural light.” Other redesign plans call for moving all dining facilities out of the basement because em phasis will be on student ser vices. In addition to the mail station, the ID station and the general store will remain, but the game room will be moved to the basement, which will be renamed Carolina Underground. According to Ogle, the con fusion of the construction will become understandable when the new design is carried out. “I think everyone agrees this building is a jnaze, and that’s what we’re trying to rectify.” Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockudesk@hotmail.com SODEXHO INTRODUCES VARIETY, REVAMPS DINING FACILITIES BY GINNY THORNTON THE GAMECOCK USC dining isn’t often identified with Sunday brunch atop Capstone, trendy in ternational choices or upscale brands. But to future USC students, these op tions might be as common as Chicken Finger Wednesday is now. USC has accepted the proposal Sodexho submitted this past spring to provide dining services at USC for the next 15 years. South Carolina law requires USC to periodically issue a request for propos als. This year, USC chose Sodexho over Chartwell’s, the only other competitor. While Sodexho has provided dining services at USC during the past 20 years and has always received contract re newal, Sodexho Regional Director Liz Bohlke said the company approached the proposal as if it were new business. “We always want to take care of the customer,” Bohlke said. “And we’ve found that there are some new ways for us to do that.” Bohlke said that while change won’t come immediately, students will see a variety of facility and food-choice changes within the next few years. “There’s not going to be a big splash in September, but by the spring and next summer, you’ll be able to notice a differ ence,” Bohlke said. “We’re taking our time on this because we want to do it right.” Sodexho is taking its time and paying meticulous attention to the plans for USC. Sodexho General Manager Mike Sheffries proudly displayed a heavy, two volume proposal, neatly packaged in its own box. “Two years,” Bohlke said, looking at the weighty books, which contain the de tailed proposal Sodexho presented to USC. The glossy pages are filled with de scriptions and colorful renderings of ideas for a USC dining facility makeover, and photos of other colleges where Sodexho provides dining services. Bohlke said the proposal process start ed with focus groups and surveys de signed to find out what students wanted in on-campus eating. From there, they worked with brand ing experts and planners at the national level. Bohlke and Sheffries both were en thusiastic about the advantage they say the 15-year contract will give them, and the extra space USC has allotted for din ing services use. “In the past, we’ve signed a 5-year con tract,” said Bohlke. “Now it will be easi er for Sodexho to justify investing in more drastic facility changes because we know we’ll be around long enough to profit from the return.” Helen Zeigler, director of USC Business Affairs, said Sodexho’s inter est in refurbishing dining facilities was a major reason they won the contract. “We asked the vendors what kind of investment they would make,” Zeigler said. “They came in and talked to us... We’re very happy with the choice.” Bohlke said Sodexho plans to display signs hi campus dining areas during the school year to inform students about the progression of changes and construction. “We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with USC for the last 20 years,” Bohlke said. “We were thrilled to continue to work with them.” But even though change is scheduled, Sheffries is adamant that the good parts of USC dining will remain in tact. “Cancel Chicken Finger Wednesday? No way. I don’t know what would hap pen if we did that.” Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockudesk@hotmail.com § 3 Wt..•» WALL ; rMERCHANDISERS \ nr HHnHBPMWMH* FLO WE F WALK-IN 7 SUBVERSIONS^ SMOOTHIE '-CANDY/ ^TERRACE TREATS SEATING f PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK The Russell House’s new look will include adding a Cinnabon, Flower Cart and a Smoothie stand, all of which will be located on the first floor. Now Leasing Private Bedrooms for Fall 2003. Roommate Matching Available. 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