On November 2, students walked into the Dining Hall to see that the stools had been removed from the two long tables due to the repeated lack of cleaning and disrespect shown by the student body.

General Manager of Dining Services, Lee Bergelson spoke on the decision to close the tables. He said, “Seeing the frustration of my staff having to spend a large portion of their time cleaning up after people who should be cleaning up after themselves was the point where we felt action was needed,” Bergelson said. 

He continued, “The decision was made to close the two high-top tables as a result of repeated requests to clean up after themselves have gone largely ignored.  The expectation is that by closing the tables the gesture will resonate with the people who sit there and hopefully bring into their consciousness that by leaving their mess behind for others to clean they are being disrespectful to their fellow members of the community.” Bergelson said he hopes this closing will create an opportunity for some self-reflection and an outcome that is welcoming for everyone. 

The tables will be closed for breakfast and snacks for one day. If the issue persists after today Bergelson said, “We will close the tables for two days…beyond that for three days, four days, etc.… I really hope that it doesn’t come to that and that the message will be received and that going forward people are respectful of the space and hopefully leave it better than they found it.”