For students who remember the trays in the dining halls and miss them, they aren’t coming back.
Since the drought in spring 2008, N.C. State has been part of a national movement to reduce water usage. University Dining has helped contribute to the conservation effort by taking away the trays in the dining halls, according to Jennifer Gilmore, Marketing and Communications Manager of University Dining.
The drought was a result of North Carolina receiving only between 50 and 75 percent of the rain it normally gets. According to NOAA.gov, as of April 9, 2008, North Carolina had a deficit of between one and three inches of rain.
Trays in Fountain, Clark and Case Dining Halls were huge consumers of water and electricity, which was used to heat water. According to Gilmore, the removal of the trays saves the University about 210,000 gallons of water a month.
“Cutting out trays seemed like the smart thing to do, and given the benefits we’ve seen we’re glad we decided to do it,” Gilmore said.
Gilmore also said removing the trays has undoubtedly saved a considerable amount of food as well, though a precise figure hasn’t been determined.
“When you’re going through the line, you can only get so much food without a tray,” Gilmore said.
The trays are still available during the summer for certain groups. For example, during the Special Olympics, University Dining can offer guests more assistance in the dining halls.
Overall, there have been very few requests to have the trays back as standard, according to Gilmore.
However, Tyler Carroll, a senior in electrical engineering, said he thinks trays would facilitate eating at the dining halls.
“I think trays would make it easier for everyone. I run out of arms for multiple dishes and end up making more trips to and from the counters,” Carroll said. “Plus, I think it would be easier work to clean up dishes left out in the dining room.”
Carroll enrolled during the semester after the trays were already taken out.
Currently, there aren’t any plans to put the trays back in the dining halls, according to Gilmore.
“I think the biggest drawback for students is not having them to sled on when it snows,” Gilmore said.
