Temporary Changes at the University Cafe

By Dan Woulfin
Graduate Correspondent

Due to the unexpected leave of absence taken by Godfrey Palaia, the manager of the University Cafe, the GSO Lounge Advisory Committee (GSOLC) has approved various changes to insure that the Cafe remains open and available for the student community. The Cafe, which during daytime hours serves the entire campus community with both food and non-alcoholic beverages and during its eventing hours from Wednesday to Saturday is the graduate student bar/lounge, was opened in 2003 on the first floor of the Student Union. The mission of the Cafe, then and now, is to provide a comfortable social venue for graduate students, faculty, and staff to relax. The GSOLC has stated that they are committeed to preserving that mission.

During Mr. Palaia’s leave, the Cafe remains open during regular business hours, and the level of service Cafe patrons are accustomed to remains unchanged. Michael Rooney, the current daytime manager, continues to oversee daytime operations, including all lunch service.  A new night manager, Paul Crespo, has been hired to oversee the Cafe during lounge hours. Catered events and the Sunday Acoustic Concert Series will continue as scheduled. The recurring live entertainment, including jazz on Wednesday evenings and open mic on Thursday evenings, is temporarily suspended. However, members of the GSOLC have stated that they are committed to bringing these performances back as soon as possible. "We are working hard to ensure that the level of Cafe service graduate students and our other customers expect remains unaffected. As the Fall semester opens, I encourage everyone to stop by the Cafe and enjoy this great venue provided to the university community by GSO," said Chad Bender, a long-time member of the Lounge Committee.