Southside Café Renovation
A better dining experience is coming to Southside!
WSU is investing in a major renovation of the Southside Dining Center to create a more welcoming, efficient, and exciting place for Cougs to gather, eat, study, and hang out.
The multi-phase renovation will modernize the building, expand seating, improve food variety, and elevate the student dining experience while keeping essential services open throughout the school year.
Project Overview
Southside Café, also known as the Rotunda, first opened in 1961. It has undergone multiple renovations, with the last substantive updates completed in 2008.
With the help of external consultants, we gathered feedback from students about their dining experiences on the south side of campus and are looking to:
- Make dining faster, easier, and more enjoyable
- Create more places for students to relax, study, and connect
- Add new food venues, including future Global concepts, allergen-friendly, and expanded continental and dessert, while upgrading favorites like Pizza, Grill, Salad, and Deli
- Improve kitchen efficiency and staff workflow
- Add accessible entries, better seating layouts, and more gathering spaces
- Support sustainable food practices, healthier options, and more open-kitchen visibility.
Southside will continue to be a vibrant hub for students from morning coffee to late-night bites.
What to Expect During Construction
We know construction can be disruptive. We're working with our partners to minimize impact and make sure students have a great experience during this transition.
Dining Will Stay Open
- Students can continue to access all of the delicious food options throughout the academic year.
- Southside Café will be closed during Summer 2026. We are working directly with summer orientation and conference groups to support dining at other dining locations.
Safety First
- Construction zones will be clear
- Temproary barriers will separate work areas from student spaces
- Deliveries will be routed away from student pathways.
Smart Timing
- Most disruptive work is planned during summer and school breaks.
Communication
- Students will receive regular updates about:
- Venue openings/closings
- Seating availability
- Temporary wayfinding routes
Cost & Investment
The renovation is a major investment in enhancing students' daily lives.
The WSU Board of Regents has approved a budget of up to $10 million for Phase 1 of the project. The total project is estimated to cost $19.7 million.
What's New & Improved?
New & Updated Food Venues
- Global Platform
- Allergen‑Friendly Venue
- Expanded Grill & Chef’s Plate
- Updated Salad, Pizza, Deli & Continental/Dessert
More Seating & Better Flow
- Seating increases across all phases, from 456–586 total seats depending on configuration
- More booth seating, study‑friendly spaces, and group tables
Modernized Back‑of‑House
- New coolers, freezers, prep spaces
- Improved warewashing and receiving areas
- More food preparation in front-facing stations in real time
Phases & Timeline
Each phase requires separate review and approval from the WSU Board of Regents. Phase 1 was approved in November, 2025.
Phase 1 (Summer 2026)
- Moving restrooms to the southwest
- Relocating warewashing to the northeast
- Renovating Pizza, Salad, Deli, and Continental/Dessert
- Opening additional seating in the southwest area
- Expanded seating with removal of the elevated platform
Phase 1.1 (Fall 2026)
- Finishing and opening the new southwest seating and service area
Phase 2
- New Allergen‑friendly venue replacing old dry storage
- Additional Dairy Cooler
- Upgraded Chef’s Plate and Grill stations
- Loading dock improvements and generator installation
Phase 3
- A building addition with a new entry
- A brand‑new Global-themed Pan-Asian venue
- Relocated Continental & Dessert
- Ground‑level retail and more seating
- Renovated restrooms and staff service areas
FAQ
Will Southside be open during construction?
During the school year, yes! Southside will be closed during the summer, but otherwise open and operational. Phasing ensures students continue to have access to dining options throughout the project.
What new food options are coming?
Expect a new Pan-Asian venue, allergen‑free offerings, upgraded Grill/Chef’s Plate, refreshed Deli, Salad, Pizza, and more
Why renovate now?
Southside is a major hub for first‑year students, and upgrades will improve flow, capacity, healthy choices, and student experience for years to come.
How long will construction last?
Work occurs in phases from 2026–2030, depending on funding and scheduling
How will safety be handled?
Construction areas will be separated with barriers, and most disruptive work will occur during breaks.
Preserving History
Southside Dining began in 1961 as Hall Rotunda, a circular dining hall built to serve the men’s residence halls nearby. It was originally named after WSC Board of Regents member Stanton J. Hall. Known affectionately as “the Roto,” it was considered cutting‑edge for its time, with a stainless‑steel kitchen, in‑house bakery, and the capacity to serve more than 1,600 students an hour.
Over the decades, the building evolved to meet changing student tastes. A major 1985–86 renovation transformed the traditional cafeteria line into a more flexible, modern station‑style layout. Updates followed in 1999, and in 2007–08, a $10.2 million renovation reopened the space as Southside Café, adding exhibition-style cooking, new eateries, and expanded late‑night options.
In recent years, Southside has continued adapting to student needs with services like Coug Eats delivery and Southside After Hours. Today’s renovation builds on this long legacy—reshaping Southside for the next generation of Cougs.
