HRS basement to become dining area

Residents of High Rise South may have little incentive to leave their building next fall. Last week, Associate Vice President for Campus Services Larry Moneta announced plans for a dining hall in the building's basement Rathskeller Lounge. A fitness center planned for the building's rooftop lounge has been in the works since last spring. The 21st Century College House system calls for each of the 12 college houses to have a designated dining area. But according to Director of Academic Programs and Residence Life Chris Dennis, when APRL went through the process of assigning dining areas for each house, it came up one dining space short. "We addressed that by doing the renovations in the [High Rise South] Rathskeller," he explained. According to Moneta, no permanent changes will be made as part of the construction of the dining hall that would interfere with the Rathskeller's regular use as a meeting space. Food for up to 200 people will be transported through the lounge's back doors each night from the Class of 1920 Dining Commons. John Henkel, manager of 1920 Commons, said it will not be difficult to transport that much food, although he added that he thinks the the 200-person estimate is a little high since many upperclassmen are not on meal plans. "It's no harder than what Training House does for the Castle," Henkel said, referring to the nightly food delivery to the Locust Walk residence of the Community Service Living-Learning Program. The rooftop fitness center was one of the ideas suggested last spring by the Residential Advisory Board following the group's student survey on the use of the rooftop and Rathskeller lounges in each of the three high rises. "After looking at the information, it looked like a lot of students were interested in having some kind of fitness facilities in the residences," said RAB Chairperson Emily Pollack, a College sophomore. The student-run Committee for Tangible Change also requested a fitness facility on the western side of campus. Students polled by both groups indicated that the current facilities in Hutchinson Gymnasium are inconveniently located. According to Rodney Robinson, assistant director for upperclass programs in residence, renovation plans "don't call for any major construction to the Rooftop Lounge." The floor of the lounge will be insulated to reduce the amount of vibrations and noise caused by the exercise equipment. And the current design of the lounge can support the added weight from the machinery. "According to the latest architectural designs and engineering designs, it's certainly strong enough to support a fitness center," Robinson said. "It should be a fairly simple construction project when it starts." Tangible Change Chairperson Samara Barend, a College junior, said that she was told in October that the entire Rooftop Lounge would be used for the fitness center, replacing the study and lounge space. Barend said the space would be better used as a fitness center. "The study space isn't being utilized now anyway," Barend said. "The lighting is horrible, and it's too cold. It'll be much better utilized now." Pollack added that she thinks many students will "be really excited, at least those living in that area, to have the opportunity to exercise in a good facility that's close to their residence."