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The Daily Northwestern DAILYNORTHWESTERN.COM
Friday, October 11, 2013
Find us online @thedailynu
Students upset over changes to Fran’s By Tyler Pager
the daily northwestern @tylerpager
Students craving late-night meals at Fran’s Cafe this quarter are finding fewer menu items and different staff members, changes they say have left them disappointed and confused. A number of dishes are no longer offered at the Willard dining hall location, although nuCuisine staff provided different accounts of the menu revisions. Staff alterations have also affected Fran’s, where some employees, including a former supervisor, were moved to other parts of campus. The alterations were made over the summer due to a lack of business, said Joe Burdi, nuCuisine’s executive chef for South Campus. “We reviewed our sales, and we were trying to identify our top sellers and which weren’t selling as well,” he said. “We also looked at the menu to ensure we are putting out the freshest quality product we could.” The changes come as nuCuisine also cut down dining hours at Norris University Center at the beginning of Fall Quarter, citing budgetary reasons. Willie’s Food Court, with the exception of Subway
and North Shore Pizza Company, will be closed for dinner on weekdays this year. Burdi said only four items were taken off the Fran’s menu: burritos, tacos, an Asian salad and sliders. He said they were replaced with more popular items such as full-sized burgers and additional sandwich options. NuCuisine spokesman Jason Sophian said a chipotle turkey panini was added to the menu and chicken tenders are now available as a side item. “The menu is still a moving part,” Burdi said. “There can always be changes to the menu based on feedback.” Burdi said nuCuisine will begin offering weekly specials at Fran’s next week and will consider placing them on the regular menu if they are popular with students. Weinberg sophomore Laura Goldring said many people have been disappointed with the changes to the menu. “(Fran’s) was much more organized last year in terms of prices and options,” she said. “They added and subtracted things randomly.” The changes to Fran’s prompted Bruce King, the location’s former supervisor, to encourage students to voice their dissent via social media, Willard residents and staff say. “When Fran’s opened, Bruce said that » See Fran’s, page 11
Annabel Edwards/Daily Senior Staffer
menu changes Medill sophomore Ryan Daggs enjoys a chicken quesadilla with friends at Fran’s Cafe. The popular late-night dining spot cut down the number of items offered on its menu for this fall due to what officials labeled a lack of business. NuCuisine executive chef Joe Burdi called the menu “still a moving part.”
Friends remember Maddula City mental health budget discussed By Jeanne Kuang
daily senior staffer @jeannekuang
Friends of Harsha Maddula came together in Alice Millar Chapel on Wednesday night to remember his life. The private gathering took place more than a year after Maddula, a McCormick sophomore, was found dead in the Wilmette Harbor on Sept. 27, 2012, five days after disappearing from an off-campus party. Maddula’s death was ruled accidental — with a contributing factor of alcohol consumption — after a fivemonth investigation by Evanston Police ended in February. The tragedy sent shockwaves through campus last academic year. “I think it was important to do what we did,” said Medill junior Tessa D’Agosta, a friend of Maddula and one of the meeting’s organizers. D’Agosta served with Maddula on the Public Affairs Residential College executive board last academic year. About 15 people, mostly current and former PARC residents, attended the small and closed event, D’Agosta said. Some attendees, including PARC master and gender and sexuality studies Prof. Lane Fenrich, spoke about Maddula. “We had a moment where we passed out note cards and wrote
Man shot at from car near ETHS
Several shots missed a 44-year-old man early Thursday morning near Evanston Township High School,
a message for Harsha and our thoughts,” D’Agosta said. “There was a moment of silence, and a couple people stood up and said a couple things about Harsha and how they were dealing with it.” D’Agosta said the ceremony was especially meaningful because the University did not acknowledge Maddula one year later. “If we hadn’t really done that, I don’t know if there would have been any way for people to express how much they were still thinking about
it,” she said. Maddula family spokeswoman Padma Sonti said the family has “a very long road ahead of them to feel semi-normal.” “It’s been a year, but nothing has changed for the family because it’s not something you can get over. It’s been really really rough,” Sonti said. “They do appreciate the kind gesture. They’re very grateful for everybody remembering him.” jeannekuang2016@u.northwestern.edu
Source: Facebook
1 year later Friends of Harsha Maddula held a memorial service for him at Alice Millar Chapel on Wednesday. Maddula was found dead last year after disappearing from an off-campus party.
according to police. Officers found the man while responding to a shots fired call at about 12:30 a.m. in the 1900 block of Dodge Avenue, Evanston Police Cmdr. Jay Parrott said. The man, an
Serving the University and Evanston since 1881
Evanston resident, told the officers someone wearing a red hooded sweatshirt fired at him from an Oldsmobile Cutlass. The car, which was occupied by several other people, fled south on
By Maddie Elkins
the daily northwestern @MadeleineElkins
The Evanston Mental Health Board on Thursday night announced its proposed budget for fiscal year 2014, which includes nearly $81,000 more than last year’s total. The proposed budget would be distributed among 15 agencies with 21 programs, including the Childcare Network of Evanston, Connections for the Homeless, Peer Services and Y.O.U Youth and Family Services. The 2014 budget also includes a one-time request of $30,000 due to automatic spending cuts at the federal level that went into effect in March. Board vice chair Kim Fisher said four of five members of the Human Services Committee support the proposed budget, and one member said the budget is a drop in the bucket compared to the services the Mental Health Board and associated agencies provide. The meeting opened with a presentation on youth violence prevention from Joyce Bartz, special education services director for Evanston/Skokie School District 65. Bartz touted the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program, which promotes family and community involvement. Bartz also updated the board on
Dodge Avenue, Parrott said. Police found several shell casings on the scene, which is about two blocks north of ETHS, 1600 Dodge Ave. Parrott said there is “no correlation” between the gunfire early Tuesday
District 65’s plan to address bullying, which involves educating school staff, reaching out to parents and holding class sessions. “I think we have a big problem in terms of really providing the rights services to children,” Bartz said. “We have over 400 children who have been identified as homeless. ... The economics issue and the difficulties for a lot of families impact the parents being able to provide some of the stability that many of these children need.” The board also discussed Curt’s Cafe, a nonprofit coffee shop that employs former convicts to provide them with job training and marketable skills. Members debated whether the program is successful, especially in light of a $21,000 grant the cafe is requesting from the city. Some board members supported Curt’s Cafe for attempting to deliver an important service, while others expressed concern about the program’s lack of results. Some members said the issue relates to the board’s own purpose, which has evolved over the years. “We fund more than just mental health services, and in our bylaws we fund human services,” board chair Allison Stark said. “Are we being fully utilized by council members or different other boards when there are agencies that are seeking funding?” melkins@u.northwestern.edu
morning and a similar incident earlier in the week. On Tuesday evening in south Evanston, a man also told police he was shot at but not hit. — Patrick Svitek
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