The Lola Tilly Commons and hip intellectualism may seem like contradictory words, but if university officials can have their way, students may be able to relax to poetry with an iced mocha by as early as next year.

Now in its early stages, the plan would expand university dining operations to the upper Lola Tilly, in hopes of producing a "relaxing atmosphere," according to Jeremiah Stancampiano, the assistant to the Dining Service director.

"That's something that's on our radar," he said. If the plan works out, he said, students would be able to drink lattés or eat pizza at night while relaxing and studying in comfortable couches.

The move partly comes in response to nightly traffic at the Campus Cache, the upper-campus food shop. The department is negotiating with their contractor, Stancampiano said, to allow a "meal plan equivalency," though he wasn't sure if that would be like the Cache's meal exchange program.

Many other details are still uncertain, such as what types of food might be served. The coffee shop atmosphere is the department's main goal, Stancampiano said, and he mentioned pizza as a possibility.

"We will be looking for student help after we clear all the other hurdles," said Robert Holden, the Dining Service director. "I have talked briefly with [ASUAF President] Thom Walker and he thought we could get some students to help us work on the concept."

Amongst the possible student contributions Holden listed included naming and designing the shop; providing a theme; and providing photos for display. Holden said they plan to contact ASUAF when they are "ready to move forward and look forward to any student support and assistance."

Entertainment seemed like a possibility, he said, and would likely be in keeping with traditional coffee shop, intellectual activities like poetry nights. The department's ultimate goal would be to create a "hang-out spot" for students under 21 that can't enter the Pub. However, concerts seemed unlikely, he said, due to budgetary concerns and the shop's theme.

Stancampiano also expected wireless Ethernet access in the upstairs, which he said shouldn't be a problem since the downstairs already has it.

If completed, the plan would be the department's first attempt to cut-down the Cache's customers by adding installations. Previously, the Cache had attempted to dissuade students from frequent visits by altering meal exchange options, such as eliminating bottled soda and refrigerables and restricting purchases to once every 15 minutes.

When the coffee shop would open also remains up in the air. The coffee shop will be their next project after Sub Arctic Subs in the Wood Center opens, said Holden via e-mail, but neither he nor Stancampiano provided sure dates.

"I haven't heard if we'll have it done by spring," Stancampiano said, "but you never know."

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