F.A.Q
NEW ENTRANCE
What roads will be closed off during and after construction?
During construction, none. We plan to construct a temporary aggregate drive along Seminary to allow the contractor to remove and replace that section while traffic is diverted around the site. After construction, Locust, Maple and Elm will be removed immediately and upon completion, the section of Grove from Walnut to Seminary will be eliminated. The gates at University will be closed except for emergencies and special events. New gates will be installed on Seminary just west of Garland and on Hillcrest. The guard house on Seminary will be removed and a new gate house will be installed at the new entry. All the gates will be closed at night and all traffic will enter the campus through the new entry.
What about an information center?
The future plan includes a welcome center along the entry road. In the meantime, information will be available at the new gatehouse and at the Howard Performing Arts Center.
Will University Boulevard remain open?
The existing gates will be closed except for special events and emergencies.
What will the new road be named?
To be determined.
Will the traffic light be moved?
Plans have been made to install a new signal at the entrance if necessary and approved by the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Why are we spending all this money on the new road?
A new entrance to the University has been in the planning stages for more than 20 years. The University’s main entry was the "back" of campus via ferry and railroad. As the mode of transportation shifted to automobiles, the area between the campus and Old US31 was developed with homes. The University has been acquiring the homes as they have become available with the following goals:
- Make a statement about the quality of the University
- Create a central location for the dissemination of information and directions to the University
- Address life, safety and egress issues
- Enhance security and provide for controlled access to the campus
- Improve the flow of traffic on campus
How many trees will have to be removed?
The alignment and design of the roadway was developed to minimize the number of and quality of trees that need to be removed. The plan has been reviewed by the Arboretum Council and quality trees that can be reasonably transplanted will be moved prior to construction. While several significant trees will be removed, over 100 new trees will be planted as part of the project.
Has new signage been considered?
The new entrance will feature a gateway with the University Seal. Beyond the gateway a new Andrews University monument sign will be constructed.
CAMPUS CENTER
The food service industry has seen some dramatic changes since the Terrace Cafe was built in the 1960s, and it is time that the facilities reflect those changes. For the last few years, Andrews University has been at work with The Baker Group, a food consultant based in Grand Rapids, Mich., to come up with a plan for a new cafeteria. Having gauged student interests, they produced a design for a new cafeteria, hindered only by a lack of funding. William Colson’s $8.5 million donation in April, 2007 turned the plans into action, and the Andrews campus now waits for construction to begin. While on the verge of beginning construction, we thought we might answer a few questions you might have about the project.
What is the estimated date of completion for the project?
August 15, 2008
-Phase 1 of the renovation is scheduled to begin Nov 2007 and finish by March 2008.
-Phase 2 is scheduled to take place between March and September of 2008.
Where will students eat during the remodeling of the cafeteria?
During Phase 1, students will continue to use the current serving and dining areas. The center stairway will be closed, and cafeteria patrons will enter through the North stairwell (music building side), while renovations will take place on the South side (Wolverine Room side).
During Phase 2, the present serving area, production area and main dining area will be closed. If the seating area that is to be renovated during Phase 1 is completed by the commencement of Phase 2, temporary dining and serving areas will be set up in the Wolverine Room. If not, several alternative options are being considered, including a temporary relocation to the 1st floor, utilizing the kitchen facilities of the Gazebo. In either case, temporary kitchens will be set up in trailers outside the building for the majority of food preparation.
Why are we spending all this money on renovating the cafeteria?
One of the prime objectives of the cafeteria renovation project is to improve the ambience of dining, and to create a friendly and comfortable place for students to eat, study and socialize. Additionally, the renovation will bring outdated food production facilities up to speed with contemporary food service standards.
Will the renovations affect the price of food?
Not to any significant degree. The new cafeteria has been designed to sustain itself as a business. Increases in food price are generally the result of price rises in the food service industry, which are in turn affected by factors such as weather and the price of fuel.
Will the renovations affect the menu?
The menu will be expanded, adding several new food stations to the two current traditional hot food lines. "The Grille" will provide students with freshly made hot sandwiches. The "World Market" will offer a diverse selection of international display cooking (food cooked in front of the customer), and will include a wok station and a pizza station. Also, a panini grill will be added to the deli sandwich bar, enabling patrons to choose an Italian variation. And for those students for whom one breakfast a day isn’t enough, an all-day breakfast Bar will allow them to satisfy their cravings.
Many of the food stations in the renovated cafeteria will be mobile, allowing them to be exchanged in order to experiment with different options. Permanent food stations have been designed to be versatile, in order to accommodate as many options as possible.
How has efficiency been taken into account in the new design?
The serving area in the renovated cafeteria will be enlarged to almost double its current size. By increasing the number of options, customers will be more spread out across the serving area, decreasing the problem of congestion. A fifth backup register will be added for overflow situations.
Have environmental concerns been taken into account in the new design?
In the process of planning the new cafeteria, steps were taken to bring the facilities abreast with contemporary environmental standards. For example, the decision was made to replace one of the walk-in freezers employing new technology that cools the freezers using carbon dioxide, which is a more eco-friendly gas than the one currently used.