Beginning Saturday, Notre Dame’s dining halls will stay open during spring break for the first time in school history. In response to complaints from students who stay on campus during fall and spring breaks and are forced to rely on their own money to obtain food, Notre Dame Food Services has implemented a trial program from March 7 to 15 to determine if permanent changes should be made for the future.
“The University recognizes that a number of students remain on campus for spring break,” Ann Hastings, senior communications specialist in the Office of Student Affairs, said, “Understanding the potential utilization of the dining hall over break can help Food Services and the University assess future plans as it relates to the dining hall schedule. Any student with a current meal plan is eligible to visit during this time.”
According to Chris Abayasinghe, Director of Food Services, dining halls were previously closed during school breaks. The only campus meal options that remained open during breaks were fast food restaurants in LaFortune Student Center and various other establishments on campus, including Reckers and Au Bon Pain.
“We listened to student feedback on meal needs,” Abayasinghe said, “The feedback that was shared centered around the number of students remaining on campus during the break and if their meal needs would be better served in a dining hall.”
The open dining halls are especially convenient to those students who stay on campus during spring break to save money that would otherwise be spent on traveling. Meal swipes used during spring break will count towards students’ current meal plans at no additional cost to students.
“Usage information will assist my department in evaluating the need, and number of students dining on campus during break periods," Abayasinghe said. "Based on this data, we can then evaluate future operations during break periods.”
North Dining Hall will be open Saturday for brunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. From Sunday to March 15, South Dining Hall will be open for brunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Both dining halls will reopen for dinner and resume normal hours March 15.
