Changes to Program Reflect Sutdent Concerns

Author: Nicole Maddox

Following changes enacted on Monday, Middlebury College will undergo a variety of revisions to the schedule and location of its campus dining. Among the major changes, Proctor Hall will be reopened for weekend brunch and dinner, Ross Dining Hall will close 30 minutes earlier for dinner and all language tables will be held in Cook Dining Hall, as opposed to the traditional location at Le Château.
Since the start of the school year, many students have voiced complaints regarding Proctor's changed hours and food choices. "We knew from the beginning that closing Proctor on weekends would be problematic," stated Pete Napolitano, director of Dining Services, but with the opening of Ross, "the majority of the new staff came from Proctor, which meant that some of the services and flexibility in Proctor suffered." Additionally, Dining Services staff reasoned that if a large event required space over a weekend, Proctor would be available to meet those needs.
"As it turned out," said Napolitano, "Proctor is better served as a dining space."
Several small changes in menu options have been met with appreciation from students. "It's great to see deli meat back in Proctor in the evening," rejoiced Sarah McCabe '05. "Hats off to all of the Middlebury dining staff from its students for listening objectively to our opinions!"
Although the expansion of Proctor's operating hours seems to be met with the wide approval of the student body, the closing of Le Château is a disappointment to many language students and faculty members. Associate Professor of French Charles Nunley explained his dissatisfaction: "It's ironic that the commons-like context that Le Château once provided [faculty dining with students, offices and classrooms in proximity to residential space] prior to the establishment of the commons system has, in recent years, been dismantled by the administration in an attempt to create a better environment for intellectual exchange beyond the classroom."
During the fall into late October, Middlebury operates a full-time dining service staff on its Bread Loaf campus to handle Homecoming, Fall Family Weekend and other miscellaneous events. "Normally, we have the Bread Loaf staff report back to Château for the operation of the language tables," continued Napolitano. "However, this year we needed support in Proctor." Under the constraints of budget and staff, Middining simply "cannot be all things to all people," he said.
Le Château will, however, continue to serve dinner on Friday evenings as part of the Dolci cooking club.
As always, the Middlebury Dining Service is responsive to input from the College community, and dining staff has been very flexible and accommodating in the implementation of the new schedule. The changes are also largely attributable to the cooperation of the College's language departments, Dean of Student Affairs Office and the commons.