Students returning from winter break were surprised this week to find a complete renovation of the Student Union eating area at Putnam's.
The old tables, chairs and booths were completely removed to make way for a more modern-looking setup to accommodate more students.
UB officials said the renovations - which cost about $100,000 - were necessary.
"We had a lot of broken tables and chairs," said Mitch Green, executive director of Campus Dining and Shops. "Certainly with 12 years on the furniture, we had a lot of chairs out for repair."
Green said the upgrade was only part of a larger-scale plan to refurnish dining areas across both campuses.
"We've done similar upgrades at Governors and the Ellicott Complex," Green said.
According to Green, the Putnam's renovation cost the Faculty Student Association over $100,000, but he thinks it's a worthwhile and meaningful upgrade.
"We're responsible for maintaining all of our old furniture," Green said. "It was needed."
Green added that before the changes, the dining area was insufficient for student needs and large groups of students often had to push together smaller tables while individuals occupied entire booths.
"The area looks nicer," Green said. "There's more seating and larger tables, and it provides some smaller seating where smaller groups can sit and not monopolize larger tables."
Some students said they're pleased to see a tangible use of their money, while others said they thought the money could have been used on something more meaningful. At the very least, the change has been noticeable to both passers-by and students sitting down to eat.
"It's an improvement, but there may have been other things that could have taken priority," said Sara Pendergast, a sophomore business major.
While many students said they appreciate new chairs, some said that the money would have been better spent on the food service at Putnam's.
According to Green, the Faculty Student Association understands students' concerns about the food and the pizza station is next in line for a revision.
Other students said they're pleased with the new look.
"It's nice to have a good place to eat," said Cliff Gullans, a senior computer science major. "I think it looks nice."
While not in favor of how the money was used, Brian Sikora said he doesn't find fault with the school for how it was used. "I'm sure they had to use it or lose it," Sikora said.
