Big changes coming to Southeast food services

There's a buzz of excitement at Southeast Missouri State University, as students and staff look forward to changes and additions coming to dining services on campus.

As part of a contract approved earlier this year by Southeast officials, Chartwells Dining Services is investing more than $6.5 million at the university to enhance programs and renovate facilities.

So far, those projects include the addition of a second Subway line at Scully and the upcoming renovation of the Towers Cafe. Likely garnering the most attention, however, is a sign at the University Center, announcing plans for a Panda Express, a casual Chinese restaurant.

"Obviously, Panda Express was very exciting for everybody when they knew that was part of the bid from Chartwells," said Michele Irby, director of campus life and event services. "I'm the adviser for student government, and they spent a lot of time pushing that out and getting excited. ... The anticipation is really out there."

The University Center will be expanded to house the Panda Express, with the new space being built at the south of the center.

Chartwells server Tamra Nunley prepares a hot dog for Mingzhe Du during lunchtime Tuesday in the dining commons of Towers Complex at Southeast Missouri State University. (Fred Lynch)

Through the 850-square-foot expansion, a full Panda Express concept, including production, storage, and serving space will be accommodated without losing current seating or meeting-room space in the University Center.

To accommodate the expansion, SONO and Dippin' Dots have closed. Officials say SONO may find a new home in the Market Food Court if there is demand. Chartwells will conduct student surveys before making that determination.

The Panda Express project will be bid in early October, and work is expected to begin in mid-October.

Plans call for construction to be finished in January, with Panda Express opening sometime during the spring 2016 semester, weather permitting, said Kathy Mangels, vice president for finance and administration.

The restaurant will have a full menu that will include vegetarian items and "wok smart" entrees with 300 calories or fewer and at least 8 grams of protein.

Hours of operation will follow similar hours to the Redhawks Market and are projected to be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Students will be able to use their meal plan, or Redbucks, as they do at other retail locations on campus such as Starbucks and Subway.

With the construction about to begin, Irby said the project has created a lot of hype on campus.

"I have not seen that with any other food concept we've had in a while," she said.

Lauren Swift, Jordain Brown and Alexis Brandenburg, freshmen at Southeast, had lunch at the University Center on Tuesday, and said they're looking forward to Panda Express' arrival.

"Everyone talks about it," Brown said, adding they heard about the addition during freshman orientation and saw the sign posted at the center.

"The first few weeks, it's going to be everyone over here," Swift said of when Panda Express opens.

As the university food service contract went out to bid last year, students, faculty and staff were surveyed to see what they wanted from the food-service provider over the next few years.

"Students told us what they wanted, and we hope we can deliver what they're asking for," Irby said. "And as they continue to want things, I hope they know that Chartwells and the university are responsive to the things they want in their dining program."

Steven Cooper, resident district manager for Chartwells, said there's also an expansion planned for Chick-fil-A in 2017.

"As the university grows, we'll no doubt grow the food service," he said. "It's a partnership of the university and Chartwells."

During summer 2016, the dining hall at the Towers Complex will be closed as renovations are completed.

Kendra Skinner, director of the Office of Residence Life, said the dining area is the closest food service for about 1,500 students who live at the towers, Greek housing and LaFerla Hall.

The buffet-style design gets crowded during peak hours and will be replaced by a more open floor plan, where students can see their food being prepared, Skinner said. The new design also will include a meeting area that can be used in the evenings for different groups and events.

Skinner said work will begin soon after the dining area's final meal of the year is served, and the project is expected to be completed before students arrive for the fall semester.

"It's always exciting to see things get an update and new, fresh look for the students," she said, but it also means the towers will be closed for summer camps. Students instead will be moved to the south end of campus. "I would definitely prefer to take this offline and do this for students, so they have something new and fresh to come back to next year."

klamb@semissourian.com

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