The Lynn Dining Commons and the Coffee Shop have adjusted their hours, due to the university’s proactive measures against COVID-19, and two other dining locations have temporarily closed.

The Commons now opens for brunch seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and for dinner from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Coffee Shop changed its hours to Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m., while Einstein Bros Bagels and BYOB: Build Your Own Burrito are closed.

The changes reflect the fewer number of students living in residence halls since classes moved online amid the worldwide coronavirus outbreak. The Commons once fed 750 to 800 students during lunch. But on Monday, March 30, with most students moving back home, the Commons served 178 people in total during the day. 

Three food stations remain open in the Commons. They include the Grill-to-Order station for burgers and chicken breasts, a small salad bar, and the G8 Allergen station providing meals that are vegan, vegetarian and free of many food allergens, such as gluten, soy, shellfish and nuts.

Once students make their selections, they receive their meals in to-go containers with individually wrapped condiments and plastic ware, which safeguard against the spread of the coronavirus. Students can eat their meals at the tables outside the Carlton Union Building or in their residence halls.

“It definitely feels weird for us to not have guests in our spaces dining, but we know that this is the safest thing that we could do and that also helps us enforce social distancing in our spaces,” said Candra Reid, senior director of Dining Services.

Despite shortages of some food and paper products in area supermarkets, Stetson Dining has been able to receive all the items needed from its large vendors during the pandemic.

“Yes, there are some issues with supply and demand on some items, such as paper supplies, but thankfully our vendors are able to help us find substitutes for these items, to ensure that we have what we need,” Reid said.

Stetson Dining may make additional changes, based on the number of students on campus and other conditions. “We are continuing to monitor our guests and services to decide what are the best moves for us to make for our community,” she said. “Thankfully, everyone is adjusting to this amazingly well!”