New Student Center Brings New Meal System

Vanguard University’s new Student Center is nearing completion. With it comes a new café and a dining model, according to Vice President for Student Affairs & Campus Operations, Tim Young.

According to Young’s school-wide email sent on Nov. 11, the center’s dining facility is called the Bruce Lindsay Café. The new area also comes with a new meal structure. Instead of the old buffet style of the Café, Young said that meals will consist of an entrée, two sides, whole fruit, dessert, and two drinks. He also said there will be à la cart options for those who are not on a meal plan. 

According to Wilson, the new dining model will replace the current Café. Once it opens, the Café will close. Samson’s will be relocated to Dr. Ben’s Coffee Bar, according to Young.

According to Wilson’s commuter email, the commuter meal plans for the 2020-2021 school year will have a new price of $235 for 25 meals and $445 for 50 meals. According to Director of Residence Life Shelly Youd, it is unknown what the prices for residential students will be next year.

According to Wilson, the logic for this different meal system is the same logic behind the new student center as a whole, which is the goal of catering to more students. 

“Ultimately, the goal of the new building is…the inclusion of all of our different populations here on campus,” Wilson said.

According to Wilson, having an all-you-can-eat style be the sole option was not seen as very inclusive because not everyone wants that type of meal. He said that students can now buy, for instance, just a salad or a pizza. One of the features they’re most excited about is the new pizza oven it is getting.

According to Wilson, this system, much like everything else in the Student Center, is the combined vision of President Mike Beals and the vice president. Young has been doing most of the guiding and planning, checking in with the president to make sure that it’s in line with his vision.

According to Wilson, the Advancement Office has made an effort in rallying alumni for the next century, and Bon Appétit is a sponsor of the building as well.