Bloomsburg Scranton Commons- Charles Manley
                                                                 
                                                                                         Bloomsburg Food

Entrance to Starbucks 

Towards the end of Bloomsburg's Campus in between Elwell and Schuylkill hall is the Bloomsburg Scranton Commons, a building with red bricks and huge glass windows. The building was built a long time ago,  so it has the older sturdy look unlike most buildings today; however it has a modern day feel on the inside. The inside has two large seating areas along with long porch and the PA room, these rooms are for a more secluded eating experience because of the closed in areas and limited seating. Every BU student knows where the commons is and about the food the commons serves, but what they don't know is the hard work and dedication that it takes to work at the commons and to get the commons ready for a good dinning experience.

Chip, an older women with an upbeat personality, is always there greeting people with a smile. She is dressed in typical work clothing; a white shirt, black pants, and an apron. She has short brown grayish hair and wears a hair net. Chip always asks "Are you hungry?" It makes students talk and become friendlier with her; it also shows that she thinks about the students. When asked if she likes working at the commons, she responded with "Yes I like working at the commons not only because of the people that I work with, but also I have built several relationships with some students". Chip's job at the commons is to swipe the cards to allow the students to eat, not a hard job, but she said "this job occupies my time and I have already had several other stressful jobs before this, and I don't want another one." Chip said "The most difficult time I had at the commons was this past year when the blimp was in Bloomsburg, the power went out and we had no idea how to feed the students. We all had a role to play and a job to do. Even though we ended up serving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and grilled cheeses the crisis was avoided". There is no real preparation that goes into swiping cards but there is in counting money and giving correct change. Plus working the systems at the front can be frustrating and confusing, "At first I could not figure out the machine I would go to swipe the card and sometimes it wouldn't work I didn't know what was wrong" said Chip.    

Inside the commons

After the encounter with Chip and the card swiping comes the main area of the commons, the roaring sound of people talking, dishes smacking other dishes, chairs moving, grills sizzling, and workers asking "Can I help you?" All these noises are associated with the commons. The most popular line at the commons is the pasta line. If it is the 12 o'clock rush the pasta line will be a mile long. The second most popular is the specials line, usually serving grilled chicken and rice, this is a typical home cooked meal,  that reminds students of home.  

The woman who runs the pasta line is Ada a real Italian women, about 5'1 and speaks with a distinct accent and takes her job very seriously,  she used to run a restaurant and has since retied. "I run my pasta line the same way I ran my restaurant, if people don't like it they shouldn't get pasta".Of course since she is Italian, she wants people to eat, she always responses "That's it" when telling her the toppings on your pasta. She throws the toppings in the pan, then the noodles, then either marinara or alfredo sauce. Then comes her famous line "cheese?" A BU student said "The pasta is absolutely the best thing you can get at the commons because it taste like it is from Outback or Applebees" Even though the commons is far from Outback or Applebees the pasta is an easy dish to make and Ada does a perfect job of making sure she prepares it to the best of her ability. "Yes I miss working in an actual restaurant, but this is a close second". Some students prefer the commons over the husky because commons is just a meal swipe and they don't have to use flex until the weekends. 

Same side different view 

The Commons during the week and on the weekend differ greatly. During the week there is pasta, chicken patties, special lines on both sides, and freshly baked cookies. While on the weekend just one side is open and the pasta line is closed down.The commons;however,is still just as crowded, but there is only one side to get food from. Therefore, during the week commons is way better than the husky, but over the weekends the husky is better."We always go to the husky on the weekends, but during the week the commons is way better" said my roommate Jimmy. 

The hardest physical work at the commons is the job of the dishwashers, they are responsible for cleaning and picking up the plates that are put on the moving belt that looks like an assembly line.This is the true dirty work of food service.  They have to rinse off the cups, plates, bowls, and silverware before they can put them into the actual dishwasher to be fully cleaned. After being cleaned the stacks of plates and cups are on a green rolling machine and are then restocked for the next service time. This is a daily occurrence until the commons closes at 8 P.M.

Front of the commons 

After sitting down and finishing the meal comes the best part, the dessert. The selections are cookies, ice cream, brownies, cupcakes, and more. However, the cookies at Bloomsburg Scranton commons are so popular they have their own Facebook page! Soft and warm they hit the spot after a meal. "I will wait longer for cookies, then I will for a chicken patty" said Connor, a Bloomsburg student. If it is hanging out with friends, going to enjoy a meal, or just a table to do work, students love the commons and appreciate the hard work that goes into making the commons smoothly. Finally comes the putting away of dishes and then leaving the commons with a goodbye from Chip saying "Enjoy the rest of your day."