Students and school officials were satisfied with Wednesday’s “soft opening” of the new food court, which will celebrate its “official” opening Friday.

Numerous students showed up for the new food court’s “soft opening” and their response was positive, Sandy Black, assistant director of the food court, said Thursday.

“To me, with a wide variety of food, no matter what you are hungry for, there is something to please your taste,” Black said.

Judy Horn, director of dining services, said the university staff like the new food court as well.

“It’s beautiful compared to the other dining centers,” she said.

Horn said everything went smoothly for the first day, but the hardest concept to grasp regarding the new food court is the cashier’s job of having to recognize what the food is and where it came from in order to ring it up correctly on the register.

Helena Glidewell, a cashier working Thursday night, said, “I would say there’s been a few glitches but I think that we’ve got a lot we’re supposed to do covered, I don’t think it’s anything big.”

“Everybody’s working really hard, long hours,” she said.

Adjusting to the new system and food is also an obstacle for the opening of the new food court.

“A couple weeks for all the little things,” Glidewell said. “For us to know what to order more, we need to know what the students like the best so we can order more of it.”

Black noted that the flow of students during the first day had “been nonstop.”

“It’s pretty stressful especially in the back, but it’s working out pretty good. You just hang in there a few weeks and we’ll have it made,” she said.

Kari Banning, manager of Subway, also said it had been a very busy day.

“I thought that since there are other options of food we wouldn’t be as busy, but there has been a steady flow,” Banning said.

As a result of the expansion of the food court, more staff has been hired, Black said. Four service workers, two cash operators, two area supervisors and two cooks are newly staffed.

Banning said Subway will draw more customers because of its new location and likes that Subway is confined to one area even though it’s a smaller space

Students who took advantage of the “soft-opening” were excited and pleased with the final outcome of the new food court.

“It is much nicer than the last one,” Doug Wake, a senior industrial technology major, said Thursday.

Alicia Capraro, a junior speech communications major, said she liked the new modern look and design of the food court.

“It’s much different compared to the more older looking buildings on campus,” she said. “I like it.”

Marie Rehr, a sophomore special education major, said the new food court “looks like a shopping mall.”

“The food is much better,” she said. “It tastes like turkey dinner on Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

Marcus Lorick, a freshman business management major, said he likes the food court and “it’s off the chain.”

On Friday’s “official opening” more customers are expected, Horn said.

Horn also said the food court is still looking for student workers, and students interested can call 581-8156 or stop by the Dining Service Office.