Mellinger Commons Serving as Main Dining Area Following Fire at Stockdale Center

Dear Fellow Scots:

Before we provide an update on issues regarding last Thursday’s fire in the Stockdale storeroom, I want to offer some thank yous:

1. To our students for your patience and understanding.
2. To Angela Goff, Kim Fornero, and the entire Aramark staff for their hard work.
3. To our Facilities Management staff for all their efforts.
4. To Dean of Students Karen Ogorzalek and CFO Holly Tharp for their work to ensure that our food service continues, that services normally located in Stockdale continue, and to initiate the work to get the building back in full, safe, and normal operation as soon as possible.

Now for updates:

1. Investigation of the fire’s origin is continuing. The Monmouth Fire Department did quickly determine that the cause was not intentional.
2. The fire itself was contained to the storeroom. However, there was a significant amount of smoke through much of the building.
3. To bring Stockdale back into safe and comfortable operation as quickly as possible will require a good deal of work.
4. With the support of our insurance carrier, we have engaged a well-regarded remediation company. That company is developing a detailed scope of work and timetable. We will share that timetable as soon as we have it. 
5. We should assume that the building will be offline for the remainder of the semester.

We know that this disruption to regular food service is hard on everyone, including our Aramark staff. Here are the steps that we are taking together to make the best of the circumstances until we can return to normal operation. As has been the case since the fire, students will be closely involved in this work:

1. Mellinger Commons will remain the main serving and dining area.
2. We will set up alternate dining areas where food can be taken from the serving area in Mellinger Commons. We’ll share those locations as soon as we have them nailed down. We know that the Fieldhouse would be a good location, but with us going into winter sports seasons, it’s not available.
3. Einstein’s will reopen next week. Keep an eye out for an email announcing the day and hours.
4. Offerings have been expanded in the POD, including grab-and-go items and bagged chips normally found in Scots Market. The POD’s hours will also be expanded and we will announce that soon as well.
5. Special dietary needs are also being addressed and that information will be communicated.
6. We will also be providing a regular schedule of special food and dining “treats” throughout the remainder of the semester — for example, food trucks, special dessert days, pizza and wings. We will announce these as they are scheduled.

Other services normally located in Stockdale:

1. Mail distribution is located at the service desk on the second floor of the Center for Science and Business.
2. The Student Activities office has been relocated to the second floor of Poling Hall, outside of the Morgan Room.
3. The Highlander Hub is relocating to the first floor of the Library. Unfortunately, the food items and the clothing in the Highlander Hub are not salvageable. You will be hearing more from the Student Success Office about efforts to re-stock both.

We will continue to provide regular updates as we move forward on all these fronts.

Again, despite the disruption and inconvenience, we have much to be grateful for. We are thankful that no one was injured and that the damage, which could have been much more extensive, was limited. We are thankful for the dedication and hard work of so many people. We are grateful for everyone’s cooperation, creativity, and patience. Most of all, we are grateful every day to be Monmouth College Scots.

Roll Scots!

 – Clarence Wyatt