Dining Services changes for Fall 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Roanoke College is implementing many changes this fall in Dining Services. These changes are guided by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and practices outlined in the College’s opening plan that has been approved by the Virginia State Council of Higher Education.

Masks and Social Distancing – Masks will be required at all times while in the Commons, except when seated at the table to eat or drink. Social distancing is required at all times, whether waiting in the atrium to enter, or at the various food and beverage stations. This also applies to the dish return area when completed.

Seating – Seating capacity in all locations has decreased significantly. The Commons seating capacity has been reduced by 50%. If a group comes in together, they can sit together to eat. However, if one or two people come in by themselves, others cannot join them at that table. 

Food Stations – Nearly all stations that offer food will be served by dining staff, self-service will be limited. The grill line, deli, salad bar, entrée station and others, will be made or served to order. The few exceptions that can remain self-service will require that the customer use a glove or the provided protective barrier, and must be continually monitored. Self-serve will include stations such as pizza, pasta or cereal. It is important to note that if a customer fails to follow the guidelines and use a glove or the provided protective barrier when serving themselves, the area must be closed until it can be cleaned and sanitized, and serving utensils replaced.

Dine In / Take Out – The Commons will continue to offer regular dine-in service using china and flatware. Two take-out options, however, are being implemented this fall.

• Single-use containers:  Dining Services will offer take-out service for your meal with a single-use disposable container. When you go to the station, just tell the server that your meal is for take-out.
• Reusable containers: The second option is the use of a reusable container, which is more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Students on a meal plan will be given access to one of these containers at no additional cost. The student will let the cashier know, and the cashier will provide the container. When the student is finished, they will be asked to rinse out the container and return it to a machine located in the Colket Center atrium. They will then scan the barcode and receive a token for a free container on their next visit to the Commons. Each time they return the container, they receive a new token. There is no limit on how many times this program can be used. For anyone not on a meal plan, a minimal one-time start-up charge for a reusable container is available. Please note, take-out meals cannot be eaten in the Commons. This will help maximize seating capacity.

Beverages – Most beverage dispensers are no-touch or low-touch, however you will have to lift a lever for some machines. The only machines that will require a protective barrier are the ones that you need to touch with your hands. Regardless, all machines must be cleaned and sanitized each hour. Regular glasses for dine-in, and disposables for take-out, will be available.

Other required changes

• To ensure that our limited capacity is available for students, we ask faculty and staff not to use the Commons as a meal option until we have a greater sense of the use patterns of our revised dining options. Hopefully, once everyone returns and falls into a routine, this change can be lifted.
• Free Beverages / Refills / Personal Containers are not allowed – Due to the VDH guidelines we need to follow for capacity, sanitation and other regulations, we will not offer free beverages in the Commons. Reusable beverage containers are also not allowed.
• Silverware will be packaged for dine-in and provided at the various stations. No-touch flatware dispensers for take-out will be available for customers.
• Napkin dispensers are removed from tables. No-touch dispensers are provided in certain locations.
• Salt & Pepper dispensers have been removed from the tables. Single-serve packets will be available upon request.
• Condiments – Bulk condiments will be available for use with a protective barrier. Other items such as hot sauce or spices will be available upon request. These must be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
• Tables and Chairs – Every table and chair will be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
• Sanitizer stations – While we encourage everyone to wash their hands before coming into the Commons or any location, additional hand sanitizer stations will be available for use.
• Crowd / capacity sensors – We are installing crowd capacity sensors in several locations to monitor and display the capacity of the location and the number of people inside. This is to help maintain requirements per VDH.
• Cashier Station Relocated. We have removed the wall and door that were directly across from the cashier station and moved the cashier to the other side. A barrier will be in place at the entrance to reduce exposure with face-to-face contact.
• Sanitizing and Disinfecting – This fall, locations will be closing and designated at times between meal periods to allow for electrostatic sanitizing and disinfecting.

New Seating Location – The Alumni Gym will be used as a temporary venue for service or seating, depending on the needs and capacity of the Commons. This location will be available for seating at lunch and dinner during the week and on weekends when demand requires. The lunch menu will be posted weekly. In addition, this location will offer a prepared meal option that can be reheated in a microwave to help improve available menu options.

Cavern – Meal exchange is being modified to improve student choices for meal options using a dollar value. In addition, a new online ordering platform will be rolled out in the near future so that customers can preorder their meal and not have to wait in line. They will receive a text message when the order is ready and where the order can be picked up. This will help with social distancing and room capacity requirements.

Rooney’s Brews – Limited meal exchange options will be introduced in Fintel Library this year to help with reduced seating capacity in all locations and help spread out customers. The hours of operation will remain the same (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday). At this time, online orders will not be available due to limited capacity and space constraints.

Freshens – Fresh Food Kitchen – This new dining option is coming to campus in the former Fruitions location on College Avenue. Construction is currently underway, with opening planned for this fall. Additional communications will be provided about the opening of what will be the first national franchise on campus. Both meal exchange and online ordering, along with capacity monitors, will be offered.

Catering – Catering will be available, however menus and other limitations for service will be in place per VDH requirements.

Check out the video tour produced by the students from the First Year Experience showing the updated dining options and procedures.