Atrium renovation

University Dining is remodeling the Atrium food court’s patio this summer.

The Atrium may also see further changes to its structure in the near future, according to University Dining Business Officer Randy Lait.

The Atrium patio near D.H. Hill Library had a blue slate base, which Lait said became too slippery in rain.

“All of that has been taken up,” he said. “We’re going to put down a new patio [with] new outdoor furniture.”

Lait also said Dining would increase outdoor seating in the project, which should be completed by August 10.

While “that’s nice for the outside,” he said, the same architectural firm working on the patio is producing a study for Dining to find ways to renovate the inside, improve traffic flow and increase seating, according to Lait.

Rebekah Dunstan, a sophomore in communication, said she agreed the Atrium needs improvement.

“If you don’t have a whole lot of time between classes, it’s a pain to wait in line,” she said.

Lines of people crossing in front of walking areas should be avoided, she said, and Dining should implement changes to make a student’s destination more accessible.

If the Atrium becomes more convenient, Dunstan said, it could make more money from students, especially through the use of credit cards.

The plans for the inside of the Atrium are still uncertain, but Lait said he hopes to have preliminary drawings by August.

Lait said Dining was considering renovations in Talley Student Center eateries, but because the Student Life Master Plan’s changes are expected to begin within a few years, it has held off.

Student centers renovations

Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Evelyn Reiman said the plan is a big-picture renovation to the Student Center, and she will meet with Peter Barnes, Student Centers president and freshman in forest management, soon to discuss initial renovation plans.

One problem that Reiman said the plan would address is space for student organizations.

“We are really busting at the seams here,” she said.

According to Reiman, the Ballroom in Talley is one of the few places where student groups can hold large meetings, so it remains booked almost constantly.

Before making changes, she said the Student Life Master Plan Committee must decide what is affordable, and she said some students have shown a willingness to increase student fees to improve their student centers.

Talley Student Center will undergo some short-term changes before the plan is finalized, Reiman said, because it is still “several years down the road.”

Barnes said there are two parts to the process — a facelift project and a renovations project.

“The facelift project [includes] putting in new tables and chairs in the lobby — making it more presentable,” Barnes said.

Barnes said the Student Centers Board of Directors is also looking at other aspects to the project like putting up banners in front of the building “to break up the white space there.”

These changes also include the installation of new carpet this summer, Reiman said.

Barnes said changing the colors in the building is a possibility.

“We want to try to get people more interested in the arts [in the center],” he said.

The goal, according to Barnes, is to get people more interested in coming into Talley Student Center.

Editor-in-Chief Saja Hindi contributed to this story.