Seton Hill University (SHU) students can expect transformations to three familiar spaces. There will be a new Griffin’s Cove, performance venue, and recreated Maura lounges.
The new Cove will be in the lower level of Sullivan Hall and is tentatively scheduled for either late November or during the 2007 spring semester. Construction has not yet begun due to building plans awaiting approval.
By Kayla Sawyer,
Staff Writer
Seton Hill University (SHU) students can expect transformations to three familiar spaces. There will be a new Griffin’s Cove, performance venue, and recreated Maura lounges.
The new Cove will be in the lower level of Sullivan Hall and is tentatively scheduled for either late November or during the 2007 spring semester. Construction has not yet begun due to building plans awaiting approval.
�We�re excited about the move and we were hoping it would have been done this fall, before the students arrived,� said Cove employee, Sharon D�Angelo.
The new Cove will have a whole new menu including Panini-style sandwiches, fire-grilled burgers, and vegetarian choices.
The menu will include a �take ten� concept which will provide more �on the go� meals in baskets. The cooking processes are also expected to change. Instead of the usual flat-top cookers, they will be using open-char grills.
�We�re planning to move away from the fast food items and to healthier �to-go� meals,� said Darren Achtzehn, food service director.
There will be a continental breakfast bar, open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and complete with bagels, English muffins, fruits, juices, and pastries.
A Starbucks-owned program called JavaCity, which includes espressos and latt�s, will also be introduced, as well as a window into the McKenna Center, where students can purchase smoothies and coffee.
�I just hope the smoothies are healthy and have fruit in them,� said Sarah Slates, a sophomore.
Though hours are subject to change depending on student frequency, the new Cove will extend its hours to 2:30 a.m.
There are also plans to turn the space that previously held weight equipment into a performance venue. It will be used to show movies, host comedians, acoustic musicians, open mic nights, hypnotists, and karaoke.
�I think the performance venue is a waste of money. I don’tpay $30,000 a year to hear karaoke,� said Slates.
�And I really don’tsee karaoke topping the priority list for students,� Slates added.
�I like the idea of an open mic area. I�d certainly be interested in using it,� said a sophomore, Ryan Gephart.
The performance venue will include spotlights, a permanent riser, backdrop, and a dressing area.
�They�re obviously catering to the students who have a lot of spare time. I�d rather see a new study lounge or something to do with academics,� said Slates.
While the new Cove and performance venue still have construction and code issues that need to be resolved, the second floor Maura lounges have already been updated with new work areas, seating, lighting, televisions, a pool table, carpeting, a microwave, a hot beverage machine, and additional commuter lockers.
�I like the lounges on Maura, and the new Cove and performance venue sound good on paper, but we�ll see how they are when they�re actually built,� said Gephart.
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