What is better than eating and the outdoors? Eating outdoors. What can sometimes make Sodexo food a little more palatable? Eating outdoors. What could students be doing in the empty Nelson courtyard? Eating outdoors. Why do we not have tables in the Nelson courtyard so students can relish in this activity? We do not know. It is seemingly designed for this precise purpose, yet it remains barren. The unutilized space is a tantalizing opportunity for dining expansion.
Though Nelson’s cafeteria nearly always has enough indoor seating for students, on sunny days, the outdoor tables get snatched up quickly. Those tardy to lunch are forced to endure the air conditioning and must sacrifice feeling the sun’s rays.
Additionally, on Pioneer Days when swarms of prospective students and their families are brought through to critique our meal options, it can verge on being claustrophobic. As you wait in an excruciatingly long line, you glance around for an empty seat. The large windows to your right call your name, the empty courtyard teasing your sun-oriented sensibilities.
It is an injustice to have such a vast and yet, vacant space. If the purpose were not for it to be a courtyard utilized by students in some capacity, then why construct a gaping hole in the center of the building? If it was constructed to be utilized in some capacity and yet seemingly not for eating, what activities were the architects envisioning?
Second-year Paige Jones’ first response to the inquiry, “What should be done with the courtyard?” was to have a sand volleyball court constructed. However, on second thought, she remarked that it has unfortunate fishbowl attributes. With windows not only on every ground level side, but each side five stories high, it is not the optimal location for most activities unless you are accustomed to having an audience. It is not private enough for a nap in the grass nor large enough for any sport. The ideal solution is to place several tables and chairs in the grassy area.
Senior and Resident Assistant in Nelson, Alexandra Kotis, remarked that it would be great to put the space to use as a community garden. Though it is uncertain whether or not this is feasible based on the architecture and gardens in the area, it certainly is an appealing idea.
Out of curiosity, The Clarion contacted Zachary Porter, the resident director of Nelson Hall, and he sent an inquiry to the administrative director of occupancy.
It seems like it would be very attainable to add the equipment needed for dining in this exterior and center of Nelson. There are steps that enable access and two doors directly from the dining hall, which serve no other purpose. They are currently alarm doors, though during fire drills, people are instructed to exit the building through the opposing doors. Switch the alarms off, pop a few tables and chairs, and watch magic happen. Bring small joy to the lives of Nelson diners.
