Blanchard Dining Commons

Students believe the Dining Commons is giving them food poisoning, the College disagrees

Students believe the Dining Commons is giving them food poisoning, the College disagrees

“Have you ever gotten food poisoning from Blanch before?” This question was written in dry-erase marker on the top of the popular Information Commons message board on the fourth floor of Williston Memorial Library.

In a tallied poll below the question, six students voted that they had, while 10 expressed experience with milder bowel illness, such as diarrhea. Several students commented on their concern with dining hall food overall. One comment asked, “When do you not get food poisoning from Blanch?” 

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Senate Hosts Dining Services, debates new budget and engages in senator appreciation

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On Tuesday, April 25, senate opened with a reading of the agenda, which included a discussion with an executive of Dining Services, E-Board updates, open floor and senator/senior appreciation. Following a brief welcome, the senate gave the floor to Geoffrey Searl, associate vice president for Auxiliary Services at Mount Holyoke. Searl introduced himself by remarking that he was new to the school, having only started in January, and highlighting some of his accomplishments thus far. Notably, Searl has worked to reopen many of the dining services closed due to the pandemic; he cited the Pub, the Deli and the implementation of reusable dishes as some of his biggest accomplishments. After this introduction, Searl moved on to discuss some questions senators had submitted.

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Cochary Pub & Kitchen reopens after almost three-year hiatus

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Cochary Pub & Kitchen reopens after almost three-year hiatus

After being closed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cochary Pub & Kitchen in Blanchard Hall celebrated its reopening on the evening of March 2 with a night exclusive to members of the Class of 2023. The pub reopened to the entire student body the following night, allowing Mount Holyoke students to once again gather and dine in the space on the first floor of the Community Center.

Senate discusses November break testing, menstrual products in res halls

Senate discusses November break testing, menstrual products in res halls

Before Senate started on Tuesday, Nov. 9, senators were asked to sit with their commission groups so they could work together towards the end of the meeting. Kim Kindred FP ’24, the senator for the Western Equestrian Team, read the land acknowledgement before the meeting began with updates from the E-Board.

EJ Jankovic ’23, the chair of halls, updated senators on a few requests made in previous meetings. There will now be gluten free dessert options available at the Dining Commons classics station by request. Additionally, lawn care and facilities work will begin at 9:00 a.m. when possible, instead of the previous time of 8:00 a.m.

Commuter students disadvantaged by inactive credit card terminals

“The College has removed the credit card terminals out of an abundance of caution while possible security issues are resolved by the provider,” Alex Wirth-Cauchon, CIO and executive director of Library, Information and Technology Services wrote in an email to the College Community.

Commuter students disadvantaged by inactive credit card terminals

“The College has removed the credit card terminals out of an abundance of caution while possible security issues are resolved by the provider,” Alex Wirth-Cauchon, CIO and executive director of Library, Information and Technology Services wrote in an email to the College Community.

On Oct. 28, Wirth-Cauchon sent an all-campus email stating that credit card terminals have been temporarily removed from the Dining Commons and the Frances Perk Cafe. This has inconvenienced many students without a meal plan, such as Frances Perkins Scholars and commuter students.

BREAKING News: Mount Holyoke changes fall 2021 meal plan

BREAKING News: Mount Holyoke changes fall 2021 meal plan

Mount Holyoke changed its school-wide meal plan for the 2021-22 academic year. Starting August 26, the Dining Commons will be open from 7:15 a.m. until 10 p.m. on weekdays and until midnight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Late night will now begin at 8 p.m. The dining hall will no longer be closed from 4-5 p.m. In previous, pre-COVID-19 years, the dining hall was open until midnight each night.

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News Briefs 11/1: DEI initiatives, dishwasher malfunction, racist graffiti

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On Oct. 9, the Mount Holyoke community received an email update on the Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiative (DEI) from Kijua Sanders-McMurtry, Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President for Equity and Inclusion.

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SGA hosts Town Hall to discuss the future of Dining Services

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BY LIZ LEWIS ’22

The final Senate meeting of the fall semester began with cheerful chatter and cookies, and quickly moved into a discussion with dining staff representatives Mike Helm, Chris Kostek and Richard Perna. Helm is a chef from the Cochary Pub & Kitchen, Kostek is a chef from the Classics section of the Dining Commons and Perna is the Director of Dining Services.

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