Although several students said that long lines are an issue, Dean of Student Life April Thompson attributed the increase in wait time to the tendency of first-year students to eat at the same time and place in the beginning of the year.
"It happens every year," she said. "Incomers are learning to navigate the new setting. Hopefully over the next few weeks, they'll spread out."
At full capacity, '53 Commons seats 1,100 people, which is 400 more than the old Thayer Dining Hall, according to Dartmouth Dining Services Director David Newlove. After this year's matriculation ceremony, the new dining hall served 1,500 people in 45 minutes, whereas in past years, the same meal took three hours, Newlove said.
Newlove said he has received positive feedback overall from students on both the new dining hall structure and choice of meal plans. He said that he and Thompson have discussed the importance of receiving student feedback during this pilot year, and that they said both the chalkboard near the dish room and the DDS email account which Newlove checks and responds to twice a week are great for immediate feedback.
Many students, however, have expressed anger with various aspects of the changes to DDS, ranging from the food offerings to the swiping system that is the gateway to the new facilities.
EJ Miller '14, a member of the men's heavyweight crew team, said that while the food quality is high, it is "frustrating" when the food runs out near the end of the dinner hour at 8 p.m.
Many students questioned the variety of food options. Miller said the food options seem "gourmet," but are lacking in types of meat offered, whereas Shelby Jackson '13, a vegan, said she found her eating options more limited in '53 Commons.
Students are divided regarding the new meal plans required for all students enrolled in classes. The plans combine a defined number of meals per week that can be redeemed for all-you-can-eat meals at '53 Commons or late-night dining at Collis, and a declining balance account, which can be used to purchase individual food items.
Some students expressed approval of the new meal plan, but many said they feel pressured to consume a certain amount of food at every meal purchased at '53 Commons.
"I think in a way the new meal plan is good because it forces people to eat smaller meals and monitor what they're eating at the other dining halls, but at '53 Commons, it encourages overconsumption," said Annie Campbell '14, who added that she is more conscious of what she eats at Collis Cafe, where students can pay for food items individually.
With the new SmartChoice dining offering all-you-can-eat options, some students expressed displeasure at the limited ability to eat healthily.
"The baked goods are very good, but there aren't enough healthy options," Claire Stewart '14 said.
Several students also said that the meal plan conflicts with those who prefer to snack throughout the day rather than eat two to three large meals.
Jennifer McGrew '13 said she does not think the new meal plan is designed well for students on financial aid.
"It's supposed to help out people on financial aid," she said. "But the prices are so high at the Hop and Collis that it's hard to get enough food for the [Smart Choice] meal price without going into DBA."
Campbell also said she does not think that the new meal plan will meet its intended goal of preventing students from running out of dining money.
"I think that because it's more complicated, it's a lot harder to keep track of, and it won't eradicate the problem of people going negative," she said. "I think the reason why people are so mad isn't necessarily because it's a plan that doesn't work, but because it's complicated and a change from what we used to have."
The meal plan options include 20, 14 or five meals-per-week options. While the 20 meals-per-week option includes $75 of DBA, the 14 meals per week option includes $125 of DBA and the five meals per week option includes $875 of DBA. Members of the Class of 2015 are required to purchase a meal plan with the maximum 20 meals per week.
Sean Donovan '13, a member of the Dartmouth men's soccer team, criticized the strict timeslots within which meal swipes can be used. Other members of the soccer team interviewed by The Dartmouth said they were unhappy that meal swipes at Courtyard Cafe required additional DBA in order to cover the expensive food.
Francisco Herrera '13 said he is disappointed that an allotment for Topside is no longer included in any of the dining plans.
"It's really annoying," he said. "I don't understand why Topside was taken away."
Football players Keith Hamren '15, Cole Marcoux '14 and Ben Ticknor '15 said they had few complaints with the new system.
"It's great when you come [to '53 Commons]," Marcoux said. "There's a lot of variety, especially in desserts and cereal."
Some upperclassmen said it is difficult to judge '53 Commons objectively since it is so different than the old system and acclimating to the change has been difficult.
"It's just somewhat jarring after being here for two years and having come in with a completely different layout," Herrera said. "It just seems very different."
To make the transition easier for upperclassmen, Newlove and Thompson incorporated student input into the design process, Thompson said. During Spring and Summer 2010, Newlove and Thompson met regularly with an advisory group of approximately 20 students nominated by Student Assembly.
"Most of what is here is not what was originally proposed," Thompson said. "To see student touches everywhere is amazing."
Students had a hand in picking the layout, carpet, paint colors and types of chairs and tables, according to Newlove. In initial plans prior to the addition of student input '53 Commons was going to be designed in a more "militaristic style," similar to that of the old Food Court, he said.
Students have until Oct. 7 to finalize their meal plans, Thompson said.
