In accordance with University aims, Struever Brothers Eccles and Rouse successfully finished the Charles Commons residential halls prior to the Sept. 3 move-in date. However, due to the prioritized nature of the project, numerous common facilities are still incomplete.
Additionally the Charles Commons dining hall, which has been appositionally named Third At Thirty-Third, will have a delayed grand opening. The hall was originally intended to open today but remains unfinished. Completion of essential elements within the dining hall was postponed due to time constraints for other areas.
The University decided to withhold the dining hall's opening until Sept. 12 to accommodate Aramark's staff and services. According to Paula Burger, dean of undergraduate education and vice provost, in light of the delays in construction, the food service staff has not had an appropriate amount of time to orient themselves for the planned Thursday opening.
"A committee met and decided that if we opened the dining facility before Tuesday it would not reflect the full array of choices available and intentions for this new space. We wanted to open with everyone well equipped to show the student body what they can expect from this new dining service," Burger said.
Within three weeks the remainder of student areas will be ready for use. According to Burger, it is only a matter of tying up loose odds and ends. The majority of the work consists of jobs, such as painting railings, installing audio insulation for the music rooms and setting up the game room.
"I'm confident that everything will be finished in a timely fashion. So far we have run into a few hot water spots, and our subcontractor resolved them quickly. Anyone who has had a house built understands that nothing else goes smoothly, and this is 600 times the average house," Burger continued.
Senior Director of Housing and Dining Carol Mohr said, "We're excited to provide students with an atmosphere that is spacious and inviting in order to support spontaneous gatherings and more social outlets."
