A Bwog Staff Writer went out on the field to report on the first day of indoor dining at Columbia in over 18 months as a sophomore who has never been.

Brunch:

11:10 am

I arrived at Ferris. There was no line around this time, but the man at the front asked to see everyone’s vaccination cards. It was Wednesday, which meant Ferris had the Tater Tot Imposters (sweet potato tater tots). I filled up a plate at the main line, waiting for less time than usual. It was a chillier day today, so I grabbed a coffee and donut and sat down to eat at the bar.

Tip: Put your stuff down first, and THEN go grab food.

11:30 am

I read Augustine for my CC class while overlooking the South Lawn. I enjoyed the people-watching—and the fact that it finally doesn’t feel illegal to drink coffee and read inside. Eventually, the post-10:10-class people arrived at Ferris for brunch, but the dining hall still didn’t feel as full or chaotic as the first couple weeks on campus. 

The man who checks vaccine cards then made an announcement with a cameraman behind him: “Everyone, let’s give out a big hooray for the return of indoor dining!”

People eating let out a weak hooray and I began to clap, slowly and loudly. Brunch had begun.

Tip: Arrive before 11:30 or after 12 to avoid the Brunch rush.

Pro Tip: Refill your coffee before you leave—oat-milk this institution.

Dinner:

6:05 pm

I arrived at John Jay for dinnertime, and it was a little full. Again, a lady at the front asked to see everyone’s vaccine card. I waited in line for seven minutes for a hot pastrami sandwich, while the lady at the grill asked everyone to be patient since it was only her working back there. 

Tip: Favorite your vaccine card so that the lady at the front doesn’t see your entire camera roll and so you don’t embarrass yourself in front of everyone like I did when they saw my 47 selfies, three of which I’ll be using for my next Instagram post. 

Pro Tip: Be nice to the dining staff!

6:10 pm

I put my stuff down and went to go eat! I highly recommend the deli sandwiches when they are at the grill and I would like to announce that after being a lifelong Cole slaw hater, I now highly recommend it with pastrami and also spicy chicken sandwiches.

Tip: put your stuff down before you grab food!

Return of reusable plates: Exchange your token at the front for a reusable to-go container! If you don’t have a token, ask at the front desk. Sustainability! 

Tip: For extra sustainability, use your reusable container instead of the compostable plates!

Pro Tip: Eat sustainably by using the reusable container, filling it up again, and then leave, milking the institution in little ways by saving an extra meal for late at night. Seriously, why do all the dining halls close so early? When is late night, yummy, crispy, crunchy, no-one-here-is-sober-or-not-pulling-an-all-nighter JJ’s ’til 10 am coming back? 

Pro Pro Tip: Please clean up after yourself and call out people who don’t! Make sure to ask those who don’t clean up after themselves if their mother taught them to do that. 

Closing Remarks:

• Indoor dining is back! As part of the College Experience TM, come to the dining halls and enjoy a normal meal, and we can all pretend there isn’t a pandemic going on while we eat. 
• Utilize the reusable containers for sustainability!
• Please clean up after yourself, and be kind to the dining staff!

empty John Jay dining header via Bwarchives

John Jay indoor dining photos via Author