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

 

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

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