Stranded for the holidays

Few dining options available for students remaining on campus during winter break.

As the fall semester nears its end, students and faculty start to dream of the sweet release of winter break. Most head home for a well-deserved rest and some holiday cheer, but students staying on campus have little to no options in terms of food or entertainment.

An overturned snowman at Los Olivos, which will be closed during winter break. (Eileen Qiu | The Poly Post)

Students living in the suites or the dorms have few options for sustenance during break. The only places open are Vista Market near the suites, Subway and PolyFresh in the BSC and the Pony Express near the CLA. However, those establishments will only be open for the first week of break from Dec. 17- Dec. 23.

Los Olivos dining commons will host a holiday luncheon Thursday, Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Brandon Gomez, a fifth-year accounting student who works at Los Olivos said the luncheon is the only holiday-themed event offered at the dining commons.

“Other than that [the luncheon], we’re going to be closed for basically all of break,” Gomez said.

Options for food might be limited, but the Games Room Etc. in the Bronco Student Center will be open for students who might be bored during the holidays.

Emily Slack is a fourth-year accounting student who works at the front desk of the games room. She said there aren’t any events specifically geared toward holiday festivities, but the games room will still be open during the first week of break if students on campus want to go play games.

Alex Chang, a fourth-year mechanical engineering major who lives at the University Village, said he stayed on campus during break when he was in his third year of college and still regrets it.

“There was just nothing to do, and the campus was literally empty,” Chang said.

He said he had to stay on campus for an additional week after fall 2017 finals ended before catching a flight back home. Chang said that because most students and faculty leave campus, he understands why campus usually closes during break, but he would appreciate more options in terms of meals for individuals like him.

Rachel Nascarenas, a secretary from the housing office, said there aren’t any specific events catered to students who stay on campus during break, but resident advisors (RAs) will be on duty during break, except on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

“The office will be open, so students can call us or an RA if they have questions or contact university police if there is an emergency,” Nascarenas said.

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