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The Den
By Noah Warkentine Staff Writer
The 586, MVNU’s alternative dining location, is reopening this year and bringing a bunch of changes with it—including a new name. Now called “The Den,” the cafe, previously revamped to carry the healthy “Tossed” menu, is bringing back many of its original food items.
When asked about The Den, Rob Stiltner, MVNU’s Food Service Director, who works with both The Den and the Caf, stated, “The overall changes are we are bringing hamburgers back, cheeseburgers, bacon cheeseburgers, fan favorite chicken tenders, weird bread and fries. We are keeping the pizzas [current items on the Tossed menu] but getting rid of the Tossed program but also keeping the smoothies.” While other previous staple items such as the onion rings and mozzarella sticks will not return, the majority of the popular items will once again be available.
“These changes were sparked by the students speaking up that they wanted chicken and burgers back,” Stiltner explained.
Another positive aspect about the menu changes is that it is not just the food that is changing back to its original state—the prices have gone back too. Last year, a frequent complaint MVNU administration received was that the Tossed menu raised meals from around $5 to almost $10, and those who spoke up have been heard. Meals on the menu now range from $3.75 to $6.50 and sides range from $1 to $2.75.
The other big change—the name—is also a throwback to the cafe’s original name before The 586. The administrative department decided to change the name from “The 586,” which was named off the road to MVNU, to “The Den,” as it is not only the original name, but more fitting to the university’s mascot, Casey the Cougar.
“I’m glad that they [the administration] are taking this student feedback seriously. This…makes the student experience better,” Leah Chelikowsky, a senior, stated, and expressed excitement for The Den to open. “I’m most looking forward to going down and getting a late-night bite with friends.”
While The Den is not open yet, they are aiming to open it within the coming weeks. The official date will be made public as soon as preparations are complete. Students can expect an email soon.
At the end of the day, the former 586, though renamed The Den, will again be the cafe people can count on to get food outside the Caf, whether they’re hungry for chicken tenders or a burger with fries.
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A New Era Begins: SonFest Reinstates Itself as Indoor-Outdoor Event
By Ethan Hershberger, Staff Writer
The annual Christian music festival SonFest returns to MVNU’s campus and will re-establish its format as a hybrid indoor-outdoor event on Saturday, Sept. 19. The concert series was formerly known to feature fan-favorite artists on an outdoor stage, but this year’s SonFest reaffirms its main stage location inside the R.R. Hodges Chapel auditorium. A second outdoor stage next to MVNU’s Jetter Hall will also be introduced.
Ben Slater, Assistant Director of Traditional Enrollment at MVNU Admissions, is involved in organizing the event and looks forward to expanding upon the festival’s fresh experience that was received positively last year. “The addition of the second stage outside near the bell tower will bring much more energy to our activities outside,” Slater stated. He pointed out that with this installment, more music artists will be seen performing than in previous years. Along with this second stage, which does not require a ticket to visit, attendees can also enjoy free yard games and inflatables.
Worship arts major Elwood Kreider enjoys the community aspect of Sonfest. “I especially liked it being a youth leader when I was doing my internships, and just getting to hang out with the teens,” Kreider stated. After consistently attending SonFest over many years, Kreider also stepped into the role as this year’s event stage manager and is excited for the opportunities that his role offers.
Although fans loved SonFest’s original outdoor format during its time at MVNU, students and faculty have been receptive to the event’s change to an indoor setting, which began in 2025. “From a business standpoint, it’s genius,” sophomore Josiah Styer commented. With the risk of rain and other weather hazards, Styer remarked that it makes sense for most music concerts to be held indoors, rather than risk canceling due to uncontrolled circumstances.
Slater also mentioned that, despite the change of SonFest’s setting, the attendance remained consistent with previous years, which helped in downsizing costs for the event. “We were able to eliminate a lot of financial burdens by utilizing our existing stage and technical equipment.”
Though SonFest continues to look a little different than it once did, fans can still enjoy a night of worship and family fun, while MVNU experiences relief from a more financially sustainable event.
Paycom: What You Need to Know
By Daniel Russell, Staff Writer
Returning to campus, student workers are greeted with a major change: the new payroll system, Paycom. In June, MVNU fully switched from the Ellucian self-service payroll to Paycom, requiring both new and returning students to adapt to the changes.
Among the changes is a limit to only two jobs on campus and 20 hours each week. The two-job limit was put in place to be “compliant with state and federal law,” said Joshua Black, MVNU’s new Executive Director of Human Resources and Training & Development. “We had some people who had multiple jobs, and we were out of compliance with state and federal law.” The law in question is the Affordable Care Act, which requires employers of 50 or more employees to “offer affordable minimum essential coverage” to those working 30 hours a week or more.
Black also explained that Paycom was unable to handle more than two jobs. Additionally, due to the limitations within Paycom, students will also notice a ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ manager as part of the switch. The two managers will be required to work together to ensure that workers stay within the 20-hour limit.
Another major change is the new time punch system, replacing the previously available editable timesheet.
“It's more accurate,” said Black, and “real-time punches are preferred by auditors.” Black said that, previously, some workers were doing work that was not always accurately recorded. According to Black, the time punch change also allows MVNU to monitor departmental needs more accurately and properly balance the resources and manpower needed for operation. He also added that Paycom will allow MVNU to save money in the long run.
Since Paycom’s implementation, some workers have also been experiencing issues with gaining access to their Paycom account. Black stated that they have a “double-entry process,” as students need to be entered into Colleague, MVNU’s network system, as well as Paycom.
Human Resources at MVNU is working to get those issues resolved over the next month or two. Black strongly urges student workers to inform Human Resources if they experience any such issues.
