MIKE STRICKLER/Arizona Daily Wildcat Astronomy professor Richard Poss enjoys lunch in the Redington Restaurant on the third level of the Student Union Memorial Center yesterday. The all-you-can-eat buffet is now open exclusively after-hours to UA faculty and staff.

Faculty and staff have a place to gather and relax on campus now that the Redington Restaurant is open exclusively for UA faculty and staff every Wednesday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

During that time, the Redington Restaurant, including the extended Mesa room, will only be open to faculty and staff members and students invited by faculty or staff.

Because the restaurant closes at 1:30 p.m. during the week, it is an ideal place for faculty and staff to come together after hours for food, socialization and relaxation, said Dan Adams, director of Arizona Student Unions.

"There is not a faculty and staff gathering place on campus, so we decided to take advantage of the closed mealtime at 1:30," Adams said. "They can talk about things, classes, and reflect on their day."

Adams said the club, called Redington After Hours, opened its doors for the first time Thursday.

President Peter Likins, Provost George Davis, faculty chair Jory Hancock and several other faculty and staff members attended.

From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. the buffet will close down, but snack items at $4.25 each and refillable beverages at $0.50 will be available, Adams said.

Adams also said alcoholic beverages will not be served.

"The unions' primary focus is to enrich the student experience outside the classroom, and an important complementary goal is to develop an atmosphere where the lives of faculty and staff are enhanced as well," stated a press release from Arizona Student Unions.

Adams, Hancock and Arizona Student Unions staff developed the idea for the Redington club.

Last spring, 437 faculty and staff members completed a survey to help administrators decide if there should be a gathering place on campus for faculty and staff, according to the press release.

Adams said there is no membership fee for attending Redington After Hours, but that may change in the future.

"There is a possibility of a membership fee if the concept is accepted and continues beyond this semester," Adams said. "An amount has not been determined and it will be based on the level of other interests, i.e. entertainment, special programs, etc. In any case, the amount will be sufficient to pay all costs without subsidization from the unions."

Now that the program has started, Adams said there will be more surveys so faculty and staff can make suggestions and requests about other services they would like.

Adams said members of the student union are waiting to see if there is enough interest in the program to maintain it for the future.

"At the end of the semester, if it builds momentum, we'll look into continuing to do it," he said.