The housing committee wants the Thomas Dining Center to remain open, despite the dining office’s reasoning that the new food court may make the dining hall a financial burden.

With the loss of the Pemberton Dining Center earlier this year, the housing committee, a subcommittee of the Student Senate, believes this is a serious issue that needs quick resolution before the dining office makes a decision that will drastically effect student life here at Eastern.

“I can’t handle the thought of not having Thomas late-night pizza,” said Housing Committee Chair Nick Skipitaris.

“We already lost one of the dining centers due to the new food court, but I can understand that, due to proximity. I mean, Pemberton isn’t that far from the union and it won’t be too much of a hassle to walk there, but Thomas and Andrews are all the way across the campus.”

“Of course that’s no problem in the spring, summer or fall, but what happens when it decides to snow really heavy, and people are hesitant about walking across the Quad to Taylor, let alone all the way to the Union?”

So how does the housing committee plan to combat dining service and keep Thomas dining hall open?

“We will get student reaction first and foremost. There was no drop in the cost of the meal plans for this year, so I’m sure the students won’t like having to pay for services they will no longer be able to get.”

“Also, I’m sure students will get involved from Thomas and Andrews if we need student testimony or student support. Basically, we’re willing to do what ever it takes to keep the hall open.”

The possibility of Thomas Dining closing was a blow to Skipitaris in particular because he was going to work on trying to start a Thomas pizza delivery system as one of the projects for the housing committee this year.

“I just want to remind the students that nothing about this is in stone yet. We are really just trying to head off the closing before it becomes a reality instead of a concern,” said Skipitaris. “That’s why all the support the students can give us now will be a powerful bargaining point for keeping it open.”