The following message was sent to William & Mary students on June 26, 2025. – Ed.

Dear students,

As we prepare for Fall 2025, we wanted to share an update on the progress of West Woods Dining Hall and how it will impact operations in the upcoming semester. To provide the highest quality service to our students and community, the decision has been made to defer the opening of West Woods Dining Hall until January 2026.

We share your excitement for West Woods Dining Hall and are eager to begin service in the new facility – and we want to ensure we’re doing it right. Our W&M Dining provider Aramark, and all the frontline staff who will operate out of West Woods, have our support as they plan to transition services to this impactful new facility. Ensuring the facility is fully ready before opening will best serve their interests and those of our students. Significantly, the extended timeline will give staff transitioning from Commons Dining Hall time to train in and get acclimated to the spaces they will serve out of every day. Not only will this allow us to make the West Woods experience smooth and efficient, but it will also enable uninterrupted service in Commons Dining Hall.

You may have questions about what this means for your dining experience. Here’s what to expect: The Commons Dining Hall will continue to operate, serving fresh, allergen-friendly, and delicious meals for our students and community until the new facility opens in the spring. We are excited to continue to plan menus and events where you can meet up with friends to grab a bite to eat, hit the books, or learn something new in one of our workshops. More information about the services and events expected in West Woods Dining Hall, including details about the grand opening, will be shared in the coming months as we approach the launch. 

For the latest information on campus construction projects, please visit the Office of the University Architect’s website. For questions or concerns about this announcement, please contact businessaffairs@wm.edu.

Thank you,

Marra Austin

Acting Chief Business Officer

Jackson Mathews

Assistant Vice President of Auxiliary Services