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Dining Services has offered several sessions welcoming student feedback about recent changes and although attendance had been consistently low, the back dining area of the Wildcat Den was filled at the Let’s Chat session Wednesday, Oct. 12.

Many of the estimated 40 or 50 students that attended were residents of West Hall and Spooner Hall, and they took advantage of the opportunity to express their frustrations, said ASNMU vice president Drew Janego.

Dining Services teamed up with ASNMU to host the Let’s Chat session. Director of Dining Services Greg Minner said student feedback is imperative to their operation.

“I think it’s important for us to know their feelings, their thoughts and what they want out of the Dining Services program,” Minner said.

Dining Services recently made the decision to close the Wildcat Den early on Fridays and close it on the weekends. In order to compensate for the early closing, Café Libri will remain open until 6 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Students with meal plans are allowed to use a meal swipe to pay for Café Libri items while the Den is closed. On Friday and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, a meal swipe pays for $8 of food. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, one meal is equivalent to $7.

“I think it’s our obligation to let students know what it is that we can do,” Minner said.

At Wednesday’s Let’s Chat session, students gave several suggestions about what they would like to see from Dining Services including more options at Café Libri when the Den is closed, while Dining Services representatives took notes, Janego said.

Recent examples of Dining Services innovations are Smoothie King, Temaki & Tea and Melted. There have also been modifications to existing entities lately.

Since the opening of Melted, Fieras no longer serves grilled cheese sandwiches. Instead, they have focused on the Mexican concept.

“It’s helped us production wise, mainly because it’s a very small space,” Minner said. “I don’t think anyone is missing the grilled cheese now because of Melted and the opportunity there.”

Despite what was previously reported, grilled cheese is still available at the deli in the Marketplace and the grill in the Den. Housing and Residence Life is also permitted to continue selling grilled cheese in the lobbies for fundraising.

Plans are in progress for Dining Services renovations next summer, providing a new late night option for students after the 8 p.m. Marketplace closing.

Minner said Dining Services hopes to be ready to reveal these plans by a feedback session later this semester.

There is a Food Advisory Board meeting at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19. ASNMU is recruiting student representatives to participate.