DXpress renovations will replace serving units to create a more efficient customer flow in the store.
The fats will be healthier fats such as olive oil. The calories from fat must be no more than 30 percent of the total calories.
To make room for the larger menu, shelving units had to be placed inside of DX.
Some bottled drinks also had to be moved to another area.
Meal plans will now be used to buy a token. That token will be used to buy carbonated beverages or water in a room off to the side of the seating area.
This room will contain three vending machines that will only take the tokens.
Renovations are aimed at increasing efficiency and decreasing the amount of time it takes a student to get food from DXpress.
"We are converting from closed-in refrigeration units to open-air merchandisers for easier access for our guests so that they can easily grab the items and go versus opening and closing refrigerator doors," Faulkner said.
Soda, PowerAde, and juice will now be held in open-air merchandisers similar to the open-air merchandisers in Au Bu Pain.
"We are going to do a similar thing for the hot grab-and-go items," Faulkner said. "We are also changing the finishes in the seating area and in the server area. We are getting some new cabinetries and serving counters in the DXpress."
Dining Services does not have a final budget yet because they are still in the process of renovating several facilities.
DXpress is scheduled to be ready and open when the fall semester begins.
"The target date to complete the renovations is Friday, Aug. 21," Faulkner said. "We hope to have them 95 percent complete by then because we open at 7 p.m. that evening."
Other new dining features on campus will include a new granite counter in Deet's place.
Dining Services is looking at electronic menu boards to install over the holiday break. However, they plan to have temporary menu boards in DXpress for the better part of the fall semester.
West End Market renovations are on target to start in Spring 2010.
Dining Services is adding 100 new indoor seats, additional patio seating, new public restrooms, a freezer and cooler off the Sports Bar, and employee locker rooms.
They hope to minimize the number of deliveries received every day to just once in the morning.
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Great idea save one thing: "including a fruit wrap, which has balsamic vinaigrette, strawberries, and spinach." That is culinary Armageddon and should be avoided at all costs.
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That sounds pretty good actually. If you've never had balsamic vinegar on fruit it is surprisingly good.
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This might be the best article I've read online. It's a news story about campus that lets people know what's going on here and why. Excellent job Kate.
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but no mention of cost...it seems quite dumb to be blowing money on a stupid renovation when the university is already strapped for cash.
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gotta spend money to make money. i have a feeling theyll get it back sooner or later
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Thank goodness they are getting rid of the opening & closing part of getting drinks!! That is usually the back up since no one can move around them. Good job Dining Services & SGA of getting changes that students want & will effect a substantial group of students. As a student of Oak Lane living last year, I found myself at DX more after meetings just because everything else closes early. I wish I had healthier choices when coming in there.
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I am SO glad to hear that there will be healthier options at DX, as long as they are affordable (as opposed to the healthy meal choices at Deet's Place). However, I'd rather they didn't waste money on electronic menu boards. This is excess spending, and will require money and energy to keep running. Do we really want to put out money here when it's not a necessity? What is wrong with the current menu boards?
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The school doesn't NEED to have any of this crap. We could have one big cafeteria that is only open for 1 hour 3 times a day and serves a few basic items to maximize cost efficiency. But VT has the #1 dining service in the country and that is an important selling point for the school.
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