By NICK OLINGER
Staff Writer
Cecil Wilson, assistant director of Housing and Residence Life and Dining Services, said Denny’s replacing Austin’s is not a sure thing.
He said the idea of Denny’s was brought up last summer and it came close to actually happening.
According to Wilson, Chartwells, the dining service for APSU, has one year left on the contract with APSU.
He explained the rebid for the contract will be taking place in Spring 2011.
He said the rebid puts APSU in a tough seat for anything to happen until the rebid process takes place.
He said then APSU would feel comfortable with putting in a whole new campus dining feature.
Wilson said the only type of changes being considered are modulations to Austin’s, such as changes in the back, upgrading equipment and a new grill in favor of doubling up on the hamburger orders.
He said they would take it to the students to see if they like Austin’s and just want to change the equipment, or want it to change into a whole new diner.
Freshman agriculture major Bradley Brown said he likes the idea of change to Austin’s.
“I have been in Austin’s before and there were not that many people there,” said Ryan Marvel, freshman engineering technology major.
He added that Denny’s sounded like a good replacement to Austin’s and would be his choice since there isn’t a Denny’s in Clarksville.
Wilson explained in order to change the diner, the Office of Housing and Residence Life would communicate with franchises and see which restaurant would be a possibility to replace Austin’s.
Then they would receive a floor plan and price. He said after that, it would just be a matter of starting construction, making it a summer project.
“I try to represent to students when going through the process of making any changes to dining on APSU,” said Wilson.
Wilson said the housing office currently has $30,000 to spend on the change or reconstruction, but is awaiting a response from the Tennessee Board of Regents, which would raise the amount to $130,000 to spend on the project.
Wilson said he is excited for the contract rebid and is always looking forward to change.
