If you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen

The Hub Suffers as Temperatures Increase

When it comes to the Hub, the heat is more than just uncomfortable. These high temperatures are making it difficult to operate machinery needed in the kitchens. According to Assistant Director of Facilities Steve Dorso, the air conditioning has not been turned on yet because of broken machinery in the cooling towers.

Senior and Chartwells employee Tanya Marshall works at the sandwich station at the Hub and also makes salads in the morning. “The meat slicers in the back are so hard to move,” she said. “The knives suck and some of them are taped together.”

To survive the heat, Marshall makes sure to stay hydrated. “So far I have been feeling alright and I have water with me all the time,” she said.

Many staff members are unhappy, yet there is a chef who claims he can take the heat of the kitchen. “I’m from the south so it doesn’t matter that much to me,” said Executive Chef Dennis Williams.

While purchasing food at the Hub, student Marianna Grady said, “I don’t want to be indoors at all.” Another student roaming the Hub, Will Levine, said he sympathizes with the Chartwells employees. “I hate the heat,” he said. “I feel for the guys who have to make the burgers.”

The Director of Dining Services, Nick Mennillo, holds the most responsibility over the Hub and the Dining Hall. “This is nothing new,” he said, referring to the temperature of the dining facilities. “This is old stuff.”

Mennillo said Chartwells took corrective action last summer at Campus Center North by installing a seven-door refrigeration system. This cut down usage of the 12 compressors that gave off a ton of heat. They also turn off all of the steamers, coffee pots, and other machines when they aren’t in use in an effort to keep cool.

He said a possible solution is to add fans to the Hub, even though it violates the health code regulations. Mennillo also said that there are no regulations or laws regarding heat and air conditioning. In order to compromise with his employees, Mennillo has allowed them to wear short sleeves when the humidity rises.

Mennillo rolled his eyes when asked when the cooling system will be fixed and turned on. “I don’t know when that will be done,” he said. “We’re gonna be sweatin’.”