Davenport, IA- SAU has begun renovations for the new Cosgrove cafeteria where students and staff will enjoy different features.

The renovated cafeteria will be updated after many decades. With features such as charging stations, a media wall, and up-to-date technology, students can expect different ways to enjoy their everyday meals.

(Photo rendering provided by Dean Christopher Waugh)

Dean of Students Christopher Waugh outlines the plans “The C-store is the most exciting feature because students will be able to get food 24/7 with their Beecards.” From the moment it opens, as explained by Waugh “students will have the option to access food at any time of the day.” No full meals, but sandwiches and small nutritious meals.

C.J. Busch, Catering Manager at Sodexo, says there will be “ better seating with more open space compared to the current cafeteria, more stations and hopefully less bottleneck so it is easier to access the food!” 

Another different upgrade coming up is the “Ucook” station which, as its name implies, is a station “where students can cook their own food in the cafeteria.” Busch added that “Students will be able to also have small private nooks for studying purposes as well as a late night mini mart open for some snacks to purchase right outside the cafeteria.”

With renovations already underway, Sodexo plans to fully shut down Cosgrove for the last two weeks of school starting May 4th. Students, faculty, and staff will eat in Rogalski. Construction continues throughout the summer with plans to open by August.

School officials say its a welcoming environment and the implementation of more modern technological advancements shall help to create a more inviting environment for students while providing them with more options. Busch says “There will be a Latin station, a grill station, a pasta bar, pizza bar, a spot for athletes where there are high protein lean meats as well as vegetables, and finally the Ucook it station… it is a concept that othe runiversities have done and has been well received.”

(Photo rendering provided by Dean Christopher Waugh)

The cafeteria will also be adding small private “nooks” for studying purposes. “This way students will enjoy a private space where they could eat their meals while working on school assignments.” Busch added.

And not only students will benefit from this, but staff will be able to enjoy of a “more modern technology to the cooking style in the kitchen which will include new cooking equipment for our staff.” However, Busch states that “the biggest reason is to give back to the students and give them a better place to sit down and enjoy the food and socialize with peers, and possibly make it a nice study spot in between classes!”. Doing this might just give the cafeteria a similar vibe to the Beehive.

Senior Mahmoud Mohsen, and a psychology major, says that even though he will not be able to enjoy it, the school “should have done this years ago, it will be very interactive for students and it`s a great upgrade.” He followed up by saying that he wishes he “was able to enjoy something like this when I decided to come to St. Ambrose back in 2020. 

According to Dean Waugh, fencing will be set up around the area where the new bridging stairs will be installed. During Spring Break the demolition will take place with the sidewalk to the West of Cosgrove Hall will be removed without affecting the lower Cosgrove doors.

Faculty and staff will also be affected by the construction. On March 18, their dining room will be closed throughout the project.

Also, beginning March 25, foundation and concrete will be added to the new stairs area. And as mentioned before, it is expected to last all the way through the semester and be done by the first week of August.

School officials say the million-dollar renovation is just another step toward the technological and modern future the University is looking for to provide its students with the best opportunities to succeed. 

Watch more at SAUtv where Nick Zepeda takes us through what some students might think about this.

(Photo rendering provided by Dean Christopher Waugh)