During Winter Break, the DuSable DugOut is getting a makeover.

Bob Albanese, director of Finance and Facilities, said NIU wants to expand the food service option at DuSable Hall to be similar to what is offered at Barsema Hall.

The DuSable Hall DugOut has been cleared out and covered with a tarp.

He said the idea was considered once NIU officials saw how successful food service is at Barsema Hall.

The current expansion project will be temporary, costing $1,000 to $2,000, Albanese said. It is expected to open by January 2004 when students return from Winter Break.

With the expansion, NIU hopes to accommodate more students and faculty who don’t have time to go out to eat.

The new stand will offer more options than the previous stand, possibly including sandwiches, salads and coffee.

Albanese said NIU is working to get enough power to run a cash register in the area and, also, to have refrigeration so the stand could sell cold sandwiches and salads.

Although the stand will be temporary at first, NIU may look to have a stand installed permanently during the summer to be ready by the fall.

“Barsema has proved to be very successful,” Albanese said. “We hope to take a look by next fall to have a couple [food service options] around campus.”

NIU also is looking at other academic buildings, including Founders Memorial Library, to install food service options similar to those at DuSable Hall.

Albanese said DuSable Hall is a great location to have expanded food service because there is so much traffic through the building.

However, he said, the congestion in the area is something NIU will have to consider when making plans for further expansion.