UNC students are back to a near-normal campus life. While there are COVID-19 restrictions in place, most aspects of residential life have returned. One of those includes campus dining options back at full capacity.
UNC’s COVID-19 Community Standards require everyone to wear masks in all campus buildings. One exception to this requirement; however, is while actively eating or drinking – in places like the campus dining halls.
Chase Dining Hall and Lenoir Dining Hall are open to all – but with some changes.
Scott Myers is the director of the UNC Auxiliary Services – which houses Carolina Dining Services. He said the dining facilities have reduced seating, with 400 seats taken out of Lenoir Hall.
“We did that to space out the seats as much as we could, but lately we added more outdoor seating areas as well and will help encourage students to dine outdoors whenever possible,” Myers said.
Around campus there are six tented locations providing more than 850 seats outdoors. Some students use the tented locations for an outdoor study spot while others choose to eat with their friends.
Photo via Carolina Dining Services
“It looks like we’ll be able to use them for the entire year being that they’re tents,” Myers said. “We’ve applied for the ability to use those all year long. We’re encouraged by how the students are actually using them.”
Students can also order ahead for meals from Chase Dining Hall, Bottom of Lenoir, and Carolina Union vendors to avoid lines. Residents living on campus can order delivery to their dorms from Chase Dining Hall.
Another new aspect of campus dining this fall: food trucks. A rotating selection of food trucks are available to students located by the Undergraduate Library in the middle of campus.
Myers said these new dining options and locations help support students who want their traditional campus experience to continue.
“This fall we actually talked amongst each other that we’re really looking at two years worth of students enjoying their first-year experience as people came back to campus and did in-person classes,” Myers said. “The outdoor areas and the food trucks and just providing more options for people helps spread [students] around.”
In addition to students following COVID-19 protocol, Myers said the Carolina Dining Services staff have been tremendous.
“They’re following the mask policy just like everybody else,” Myers said. “They’re following the campus vaccination or get tested requirement. They’re doing their part and they are the unsung heroes I think.”
Featured Photo via Carolina Dining Services
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