The Anchor is open from 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, according to the University website.
According to Bon Appétit Manager Kirk Mustain, The Anchor’s closing time has changed from 9 p.m. due to staffing shortages. Mustain says there have also been days when The Anchor has closed earlier than 3 p.m., as a result of the shortages.
The current hours encompass the peak time for transactions at The Anchor, as there were only about 30-40 transactions between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. when the eatery was open then. Priority for staffing therefore goes to The Pilot House and The Commons, as these facilities have thousands of transactions each day, Mustain says.
The problematic low staffing numbers come as a result of low application turnout. There have been available positions on the student job board since before Christmas, Mustain said, but there have been very few applications.
Other factors going into the shortened hours at The Anchor are the transportation difficulties that have been hitting the entire Portland area and the flu season sweeping across campus.
Mustain said he also worries that President Trump’s travel ban could potentially also also have an impact on the employment applications.
“There are many immigrants in the foodservice industry,” Mustain said. “It’s been that way all my life.”
