One of the many new features on campus is the renovated Student Union. Under construction for the last semester, and located behind the A. B. Howard Gymnasium, the Union gives students multiple opportunities to dine and socialize.
There are activities offered bi-weekly such as karaoke and game nights, and there are resources that many can enjoy as well, including the new “convenience store” and a Starbucks.
Antarian Chapman, a sophomore, said, “I love the new model. It’s very modern. The flow and design is great for the space, and I love how roomy it is. There are plenty of places to relax, study, or have fun!”
Before this Starbucks, there were two smaller coffee shops on campus that were in Jones Hall and the Terrell Tisdale Library. Both of these locations had a limited menu compared to the wide variety of options offered at the new location. The more central location offers cold and hot drinks such as teas and refreshers.
With the new Union comes new hours. The Union offers later times during the week to study or even get a bite to eat after the cafeteria has closed. The food and drink options include selections from Starbucks, Auditions, Bird and Brine, or The Grill.
Starbucks offers a wide variety of drinks, an assortment of baked goods, and even a handful of prepped lunch options such as salads and wraps. Starbucks is open Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. -7 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m. -7 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m.- noon.
Auditions gives customers the chance to personalize their order by offering a ‘’build your own quesadilla’’ option. Their hours are 10 a.m. -10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. -7 p.m on Friday, and 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Bird and Brine has a selection of different chicken meals, including fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, fried chicken tenders and waffle fries. They are open the same times as Auditions Monday-Thursday, but they open at 7 a.m. on Friday and stay open until 7 p.m. Saturday hours are 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Grill also has diverse options, including hamburgers, turkey burgers and philly steaks. Side options include shoestring fries or tater tots. There is also a breakfast selection including breakfast burritos, grits and more. The hours for The Grill operate are the same as Bird and Brine.
All locations are closed Sundays.
Ordering from these restaurants is easy due to the implementation of the Everyday app. With this, students can place an order ahead of time and pick it up when the app notifies that it is ready. Students can also connect their Jones card to use meal vouchers and flex dollars. Overall, the new updates to the Student Union have created dining opportunities for students and faculty alike.
“The food here is very good. Every time I order the bacon cheeseburger, it’s always fresh and hot,” said Allie Smith, a sophomore student.
Kaitlyn Huddleston