The Diamondback Café is starting fresh this semester by providing healthier alter­natives and encouraging environmentally friendly habits.

According to John Finerghty, director of campus dining services, there will be a number of changes this semester in the Diamondback Café.

In line with the ongoing “green” move­ment on campus, “our biggest push is to get plastic cups and silverware out to students eating in house,” says Fin­erghty. Halfway through the spring 2009 semester, café management began provid­ing reusable plates and silverware as an al­ternative to disposable dishware. Though this environmentally friendly idea was pushed by café staff and Student Govern­ment Association members, it did not do well overall.

“We lost a lot of plates and silverware, which was expected,” said Finerghty. This semester, however, the café is hoping that with the beginning of a new semester, stu­dents will pick up environmentally con­scious habits.

Along with an increase in reusable cups and silverware, the Café will be going com­pletely tray-less this semester as well. This means that there will be no option of using trays while eating in house at the café. This may be a tough transition for faculty and staff “tray lovers,” says Finerghty.

Additionally, a new energy efficient dishwashing machine in the kitchen will conserve a greater amount of water than previous years.

Students will be glad to hear that there will be a number of healthy changes to the Diamondback Café this semester as well. Café administration is focusing on “healthy eating and providing healthier alternatives for students,” says Finerghty. A “healthy option of the day” at each food station will make it much easier for faculty and students to make choices beneficial to their health. In addition, menu items will begin displaying nutritional facts below item names.

As a side note, there are some things which will remain the same this semester for the Diamondback Cafe.

“Prices and hours will remain the same for now,” says Finerghty. Accord­ing to Finerghty, menu items are subject to change at any time, because “students dictate menus.”

So what is in the future for the Dia­mondback Café? Currently in the works are meetings involving additional healthy food stations and possibly even a pizza delivery on campus.