Over the summer, the dining services staff at the U reviewed its program and made changes based on students’ feedback.
“We’re really going to kick it up this year,” said Reggie Conerly, residence district manager for Chartwells, the U’s sole contracted food provider.
Possible themes for the year include Mardi Gras and tailgate parties in the Heritage Center Dining Room, complete with music and decorations. A new sushi station is in the works, as are plans for remodeling the Union Food Court, which serves more than 3,000 customers a day, according to the dining staff.
The purchase of meal plans is not limited to students living on campus.
Those who make the daily commute to the U have the option of purchasing a commuter meal plan, which allows them weekly meals in the Heritage Center.
“We plan to heavily market (the commuter meal plan) this year,” Conerly said.
Only around 200 people purchased commuter plans last year, but the plan is open to anyone with a university ID — including staff, faculty and hospital workers.
For starving college students who crave an alternative to on-campus dining, the area below Presidents’ Circle is home to a multitude of eateries.
Some include B&D Burgers and its $1 burgers on Tuesdays, cheap coffee at 7-Eleven or the more upscale Market Street Broiler.
Just off 1300 East is The Pie, a basement pizzeria with dine-in, take-out and delivery options. All on-campus housing is included on The Pie’s delivery map.
Around the corner from The Pie is Big Ed’s, right next to FedEx-Kinko’s.
Whether it’s B&D’s or the Union Food Court, students at the U have eating options for any budget.