U. debuts Williams' cafe, redone Irvine

Irvine Auditorium's main hall -- which opened Saturday after undergoing renovations that included the removal of the balconies and the installation of acoustic panels -- hosted several events this week that successfully tested out the facility's upgraded sound and audio-visual equipment. On Monday evening, New Student Orientation Comedy Night entertained a sold-out freshmen-only audience with stand-up and improvisational comedy acts, while a live reading of Michael Frayn's Copenhagen and a viewing of Dr. Strangelove as part of the Penn Reading Project followed later in the week. "We had a full house for comedy night," said Tom Hauber, who will manage the Perelman Quad upon completion. "We were very happy." And on Tuesday, College Dean Richard Beeman welcomed the incoming Class of 2003 at Irvine. Aside from an initial problem with a few wireless microphones, Hauber said all events proceeded as planned and the week was a complete success. The Silfen Study Center, located in Williams Hall, also opened Saturday, providing a 24-hour study area for students. While Hauber said that the study spot has not seen too much action this week since classes have just begun, a cafZ located in the study center opened Wednesday and has already served its first customers. "It was very encouraging, the first day's sales and numbers," Hauber said. The cafZ, operated by the Menlo Park, Calif.-based Bon Appetit Management Co., will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to midnight. "We had a pretty successful first day -- better than we had expected," Penn's Bon Appetit General Manager Lin Johnson said, adding that she has received "a lot of good feedback from students and faculty over in that area." According to Johnson, the cafZ serves Starbucks coffee, as well as muffins, pre-made sandwiches and salads prepared in the International House's CafZ Bon Appetit. "It's a limited menu but it seems to be pretty popular items," Johnson said. Upon completion, the Perelman Quad -- which links Irvine Auditorium with Logan, Williams, Houston and College halls, and features a landscaped corridor between the buildings -- will be home to more than 250 student organizations, classrooms, administrative offices, student study space and several food service spots. The entire project is slated to open in time for the Class of 2000's graduation. This week also has seen the opening of three meeting rooms and two student activity suites containing a total of 14 workstations equipped with desks and filing cabinets. The suites also include counter and locker space for student use.

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