Adding to the already long list of home improvement projects on campus, Rand Dining Center's summer facelift is likely to turn heads this semester. Rand is visibly changed from last semester, the most notable changes being the expansion of Chef James Bistro, the installation of partitions, the removal of CX2 and Stonehenge and the addition of Burger Town and Center Smoothie.

With the enlargement, redesign and relocation of Chef James (now replacing CX2), Director of Dining Camp Howard said they have created a retail-style restaurant comparable to Whole Foods Market. Named after Vanderbilt's widely respected Chef James in celebration of his 35-year career in campus dining, the station now has pre-packaged grab-and-go items, including fruit, baked goods, salads, breakfast items, wraps and sandwiches. All of these items are clearly labeled as sides or entr?©es to minimize confusion. Howard recognizes that students are in a rush, which is the driving force behind what Howard calls the "grocery-store mentality" of the revamped Chef James.

According to Howard, the entrees and sides served in the past were largely Southern-style but are now "more up-to-date and creative." This year, there is a larger selection of both cold and hot entrees and vegetarian options.

Partitions now surrounding the other portion of Rand allow the dining room to stay open even after Rand closes, which provides an after-hours study space for students. "Rand is more of a hangout (and) gathering space than it has been in the past," said Howard. Minor changes include the addition of flat-screen televisions with informational signage and closed captioning, the replacement of the former plastic to-go containers with more environmentally friendly cardboard boxes and the addition of gluten-free salad dressings and cereal.

Though CX2 is gone, Dining considers Burger Town, a new station operating where Chef James previously was, to be a worthy substitution. It features the five steps to a perfect burger, which include the addition of toppings and condiments, such as CX2's infamous Camp's Fire Sauce.

"The response on this has been phenomenal," Howard said.

Center Smoothie, which replaces Stonehenge, opens Monday and will offer frozen yogurt, various fruit and energy smoothies, Java Boost frozen coffee, grab-and-go sandwiches (including Stonehenge's "The Gobbler"), fruit sides and more. While Howard recognizes there are no longer steamed sandwiches, he also notes toasted sandwiches and paninis are still offered upstairs at Rand. The station that previously offered smoothies in Branscomb, next to the Varsity Market, is gone.

Howard said students should be thanked for these changes.

"When we're thinking of changing our service, we want to get students' input," Howard said.

He attributes these changes to suggestions from Vanderbilt Student Government, dining advisory groups, student surveys and online comment cards, which can be found on the dining website. It is important for the dining department to understand how the needs of the students are changing so that they can respond accordingly, Howard said.

With longer hours - Chef James is now open until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday - and better quality food, Rand just may be the student favorite this year.