The University Center will undergo some major changes in the next few years, which have caused some to wonder what will be left of the Tiger Den.
"Right now we're planning to move out of this University Center in the latter part of May 2006," said Jay Andersen, director of The University Center and Rose Theatre.
At that point the building will be torn down and then after a two-year construction period a new University Center should be up and running by 2008, according to Andersen.
"On the first floor you're going to see a 500-seat food service, which will have about seven different fast-food selections you can get from this building," he said.
According to Danny Armitage, associate dean of students and contract liaison between Aramark food service company and The University, the new University Center will also have a stand-alone restaurant.
"It's going be a cyber-bar, with food on a grilled basis, but you'll also have billiard tables, video games and big screen TVs for watching ballgames and that type of thing," Andersen said.
The stand-alone restaurant could even be open for students looking for something to do at night.
"That could be open later than the building because it would have its own outside entrance," Andersen said. He added that the first floor will house a 350-seat auditorium with "speakers, karaoke and small performing groups."
With all the new food and entertainment options at The UC, some students have questions about whether or not the Tiger Den will still be an option for them.
According to Armitage, the Tiger Den's future has not been decided, but questions have been tossed around.
"Are we going to keep it open as a food court and what should it be as far as a dining facility is concerned," Armitage said.
He said that the Tiger Den is not going to close, but "it'll change."
"We're going to need this space because of the amount of food we sell on campus," Armitage said.
Chuck Wigington, food service director at The U of M, said that he is looking at adding a new food option to the Tiger Den and a few more cashier stations.
"It's not going to be replacing anything," Wigington said. "We're just looking at adding something new."
Gordon Marshall, a graduate psychology student, said that entertainment alone won't lure him to The UC.
"I would go into The University Center more often if they had more food options," Marshall said. "I'm a graduate student, so I don't do that many student activities."
Janice Cornell, senior nursing major, said she prefers the low-key environment of the Tiger Den.
"I think it's quieter here," Cornell said. "There's a lot of noise in The University Center."
Cornell said she thinks the new and improved lounge areas in The UC could make things even louder.
"I think it'll make it worse for people who want to sit and study," Cornell said. "It's really kind of more of a recreation center to me."
When The University Center is temporarily closed for construction, some students and faculty are wondering how the Tiger Den is going to cope with all the extra traffic.
"We're going to find a way to best meet those needs," Wigington said. "We've got some ideas, but nothing's been decided."
