‘New’ Overlook Café to come, among other innovative changes

With all of the construction happening at UCCS, keeping up with the changes can prove to be difficult.

One of the main changes coming to UCCS will be a remodel of the Overlook Café, the cafeteria on the second floor of the University Center.

Much is still to be determined with the project, but Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Susan Szpyrka commented, "This is similar to the process we followed with Clyde's and the first floor of the University Center. The new Overlook will have different healthy food options and we hope to improve the menu with more organic and locally-grown items."

Through this process, the Food Service Advisory Committee, comprised of students, faculty and staff members, will have a role in the decisions regarding changes to the Overlook, but those changes could be limited due to budgetary constraints.

However, despite the budget, Szpyrka assured, "We will be hiring an architect and designer to assist us in the remodel."

Along with these changes, Pizza Hut will be removed.

"Yes, the Food Service Advisory Committee is very clear in the desire to remove Pizza Hut and replace it with a food platform that allows for a more varied menu," said Szpyrka.

"What that looks like is again dependent on the budget. Suggestions for a replacement include a made-to-order pizza station with a brick pizza oven and a made-to-order salad bar."

These changes to Pizza Hut coincide with the upcoming "green" modifications to the campus. A greenhouse is being planned that will have a role in providing organic food for the Overlook Café in a safe manner.

"Certainly, we hope to grow most, if not all, of the salad greens that will be served in the new Overlook," she said. "We will hire students to work in the greenhouse under the direction of a supervisor who has experience in growing organic produce for use in commercial restaurants."

The sustainability movement at UCCS also brings with it changes that directly affect the way we eat.

Plates, bowls and cutlery will be converted from disposable to durable, reusable products. Disposable to-go serving dishes will be available upon request, though not made of styrofoam.

"This creates an additional demand on the Overlook remodel budget as we must expand dishwashing capability in the kitchen," Szpyrka said. "The Food Service Advisory Committee considers this a priority, however, worthy of the additional cost."

The Overlook Café will be closed from finals week in May 2012 through the summer, until Fall semester. A grand re-opening is tentatively scheduled by the first week of classes when students can enjoy the newly-remodeled Overlook Café.