The opening of the newly renovated Hotung Caf?©, tentatively scheduled until recently for April 1, has been postponed to April 10.
According to Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate Historian Neil DiBiase, the opening was delayed because of construction delays that were "out of our control."
Senate President Mitch Robinson agreed. "With issues like this, you have to make sure that everything is done well and is ready to go. A tentative date was set - it was never confirmed, but it was a tentative date, and it wasn't ready at that time," he said.
Robinson said that he did not know specific details about the delays. "I try to stay out of the construction details as much as possible," he said.
Vice President for Operations John Roberto said construction has been going smoothly and that any delays that might have occurred are not out of the ordinary.
"I'm not aware of any major construction problems that were encountered. It's probably just due to the natural course of any construction project ... The fact that it's one week beyond [the target date], I don't see to be anything particularly unusual."
DiBiase said that he was under the impression that a few pieces of equipment did not arrive on schedule and delayed the opening.
Roberto, however, said that he didn't have information to confirm or deny this. "It would not be unusual if a certain piece of equipment didn't arrive on schedule, but I do not know if something specifically did not arrive," he said.
According to Robinson, the postponement will ensure a more efficient opening. "The Dean of Students Office, Dining Services and the Senate are in agreement that we want to make sure that Hotung's [opening day] is good and successful, and we don't want there to be anything that's not ready to go," he said.
When it opens, students will be able to order from the new menu and alcohol will be served. Based on 573 votes from the senior class, Sam Adams, Heineken and Guinness will be served, with Sam Adams emerging as the clear favorite of voters.
Robinson said that he believes the campus community will be receptive to the postponement because the final product will be worth the wait.
"The fact of the matter is things like this take time, and you can only move as fast as the construction and the process allows you to," he said. "The fact that it's late is frustrating for all parties involved, but on April 10 we'll have a completely new servery in Hotung ... [and also] a new menu and items students have requested for a very long time," he said.
Many students, however, are frustrated by the delays. Sophomore Robyn Goldberg said that she is awaiting Hotung's reopening.
"I don't really go there for food, but I go there for dancing. It's a good place to go at night when all the parties get shut down," she said. "It's nice and reliable."
"The delays aren't as annoying for me because I have a kitchen, but I definitely eat in the campus center less because Hotung isn't open," junior Kathryn Wulster said.
Wulster said that she was also frustrated that only seniors were consulted about beer labels. "I don't really understand why the rationale was for only seniors to vote. There are plenty of people in the junior class who are 21 and we're the ones who have to drink it next year," she said. "I think both classes should have been asked."
Although the opening will almost certainly not be delayed again, it probably will not mark the end of construction in Hotung. According to Robinson, construction will likely begin again this summer on the areas not covered by the current round of renovations.
