I vividly remember my first semester at the University in summer 2005. Classes were dynamic, people were friendly and the Student Union was my in between class hangout.Five years later, the classes are still dynamic and the people continue to be friendly — but my old stomping ground remains in a state of perpetual renovation.I once gorged on some of the best home-cooked breakfast items imaginable, though now I can only taste them in my dreams. The Freshens Smoothies were refreshing, the salad bar was healthy and the Chick-fil-A was there to cater to my cravings for waffle fries and nuggets to no end.Sadly, my on-campus food mecca eventually succumbed to the ever-popular and seemingly unending curse of campus renovations.Union construction broke ground in fall 2006. Four years and $54.6 million later, my once favorite hangout is still unfinished. The Tiger Lair food court is a veritable wasteland — filled with only fond memories of days gone past.So what is one to do when their primary source of on-campus food goes out of commission for this long?Initially, I starved. But after a few hours of hunger pangs I ventured out a little bit and found a whole new world of sustenance.For the on-campus option, Subway became my newer, and healthier, way to “eat fresh.” Journeying off campus led me to discover Atcha Bakery on Nicholson Drive, and then Roul’s Deli and Highland Coffees on Highland Road.And in the years since, I have discovered a smorgasbord of student-friendly options to satisfy the empty space created in my stomach by perpetual Union renovation.If the Union ever actually reaches completion, I’m certain it will be remarkable. There’s no doubt our campus will be graced by one of the premier student hangouts in the nation — though with our current financial situation, I can’t help wondering if there will be any students left to enjoy the lavish facility we’ve sunk vast resources and energy into “fixing.” Andrew Robertson is a 23-year-old English writing and culture senior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @ TDR_Arobertson.—-Contact Andrew Robertson at [email protected]