I have heard rumours (though I have not been here QUITE long enough to be able to corroborate first hand...) that not so very long ago there were some franchises in Commons (Taco Bell, etc.).

Is anyone here able to confirm this? (Or know someone older who can?)

Whats wrong with it ?

Do they really need to waste money on this?

I believe they should focus on the Libraries, they're ugly and crowded and we could use a good study space.

hospitality services has nothing to do with the libraries. It is like telling the Faculty of Science to increase the number of Social Science courses being offered...

Originally Posted by lorend

Renovations have nothing to do with food quality.

128Q. Case and point.


(EVERY TIME I go there, they're out of something. Last time it was all hamburgers, and chicken strips, and they closed the kitchen at 7:30.)

Now is that because the food is high quality and everybody snaps it up in huge proportions, or because of crappy management?

Naw, its not because the food is good, that's for sure.

Two weeks ago I went and got a chicken parmesan sandwich "on a ciabatta bun" and it came out on a hamburger bun, basically a chicken burger, with a dab of sauce and about 25 little grates of cheese that looked like it had melted in about 10 minutes before. Yuck!]

i just think the new name is ... its just really stupid

Centro

i think thats a stupid name and i personally like Commons much better
Centro... lol

Originally Posted by micadjems

Naw, its not because the food is good, that's for sure.

Two weeks ago I went and got a chicken parmesan sandwich "on a ciabatta bun" and it came out on a hamburger bun, basically a chicken burger, with a dab of sauce and about 25 little grates of cheese that looked like it had melted in about 10 minutes before. Yuck!]

Exact same thing happened to me last Wednesday.

Originally Posted by manu

hospitality services has nothing to do with the libraries. It is like telling the Faculty of Science to increase the number of Social Science courses being offered...

How does Hospitality Services have the money for these renovations? I don't know how this kind of stuff works.

Did they get money by slightly increasing meal plans? If so, wouldn't it have been better to slightly increase [whatever supplementary fee in tuition that could help improve libraries and study spaces]?
I'm not saying that's exactly what they should or shouldn't have done, but I wonder if this money could have possibly gone to something more productive/useful, since it's all under McMaster anyway.

I think Commons was perfectly fine as it was. I wonder how much these renovations cost.

Each department has their own budget, and has a pretty high level of discretion when it comes to how it is spent. I'm sure Hospitality Services has had this in the works for awhile.

As for study spaces, it just reflects different priorities. Some people may argue that study spaces are the most important thing on campus, others may argue that social gathering places are important components of the experience, especially in the integration of first year residence students. I realize that Commons was functionally adequate, but if the new atmosphere encourages more socializing/hanging out by students there, it's probably a good thing overall.

I wish they could keep Bridges open longer. Especially on weekends. That would be fantastic.

Improved social space is a big factor. They're trying to cut down on takeout food, and a big way to do that is by making eating in centro more inviting. if students want to stay and eat we'll use less styrofoam containers.

I've never been in rez, so Commons has never been a central point for me to eat. But, these renovations look really nice, and make the place look much more modern and attractive. I might just make the trek out there more often if this goes through.

As for the name... I don't care - I have 5 exams to worry about instead.

Originally Posted by webzn

I've never been in rez, so Commons has never been a central point for me to eat.

I'm worse, I don't even know where it is

I hope the actual renovations look as good in person as they do in the pictures!

I was in res for my first year, and I always thought they could make Commons look better. Sometimes it just looks so dark and dreary. I especially love the idea for more natural lighting. When you live in residence, you're kind of limited in where you can eat with your meal plan, so making Commons look better is a good idea in my opinion.

For those who want more and/or better study spaces, maybe you can tell the library people that? Personally, I could care less about study spaces.