Cafeteria Closure Crisis

The Cougar’s Cave Cafeteria Closed in December for the Semester Break; It Never Reopened and The Closure Left Students, Faculty and Staff Confused, Inconvenienced and Hangry!

Gabe Wurst, Yeliannie Luna, Nico Arroyo, and Harrison Blum

March 5, 2024

Cougar’s Cave stands dark and empty on the first floor of the Student Services Center building.

Nico Arroyo

How Has the Closure Impacted Students?

Three students discuss how the closure has impacted their campus experience. (Yeliannie Luna, Producer)

Some students told ICE TV they were mad about the closure and the lack of communication about the closure from the college.

Connecticut Foodshare donates meals to the Cougar Pantry year-round.

What Was Done to Fill the Gap Left by the Closed Cougar’s Cave?

The Cougar Pantry – which is free for anyone on campus to use – stepped in with heat and eat meals purchased with donations from The Manchester Community College Foundation and the Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges Union, or the 4C’s. Members of the campus community also donated macaroni and cheese and ramen noodle cups and a microwave to cook them. Two more microwaves were purchased by the Student Government Association. And Deb Simmons, who teaches music at CT State Community College Manchester, set up a cart with coffee, tea and hot dogs a few days a week near her office in the AST.

“I just had to do something,” she said.

Voices from Across Campus Expressed Discontent About the Closure

Anonymous Student

"Students should not have to solely rely on going off campus for food. This is inconvenient for those who do not have their own cars and have to rely on public transportation. And what about those who have dietary restrictions or are vegan?"
Georgette Hyman, Assistant Director of Disabilities Services

“It is an added stressor for students.”
Stephanie Alicea, Guided Pathways Advisor

"The closure hasn't hurt me dramatically because I usually bring my own food, and prices were known to be very steep. But I have seen how it has been hurting my students. Something needs to be done that could improve the cafe on a larger scale."
Joe Navarra, Director of Disability Services

"We count on the cafeteria and not having it is a struggle for staff, faculty, and students."
Nicole Esposito, CEO of CT State Manchester

"Because we are a state entity, the Attorney General's office is handling the litigation of the vendor breaching his contract - it will take some time before we have a new vendor in the spaces of the Tower and the Cafeteria."

Connecticut Foodshare donates meals to the Cougar Pantry year-round. (Brian Lombardo)

ICE Radio at MCC · T.J. Barber - Cafeteria Interview

T.J. Barber admits communication about the closure could have been better. (Gabe Wurst, producer)

Why Did the Cafe Close?

T.J. Barber, Campus Associate Dean of Student Development, explained why the cafe closed in an interview with ICE Radio in February.

Cafeteria Closure Crisis

ICE Media

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