During SGA Week, Langston University launched a soft opening for its cafeteria on September 30th. Before the soft opening, the main dining area was closed since Spring 2022.
Students grabbed their food in a grab-and-go line with limited food options to choose from: the main line, pizza station, grill and vegan options. Following the soft opening, students were presented with new food options such as a pasta bar, salad bar, dessert bar and now pizza heated in an authentic pizza oven.
The seating area also expanded in dining with a multitude of tables and booths along the wall and seats with plug-in adapters. Now the students have a place to stop and eat their food in between classes, but there is still work to be done in the SSC.
Now focus can be brought to the lounging area to be known as “The Lion’s Den,” which will provide different food options and pool tables.
Student-athletes Sam Battle and Kristian Baccus, who are both sophomores and on the men’s basketball team, spoke on their dining experience following the soft opening. “I’m glad I can finally rest my legs after practice and just enjoy my food,” Sam said. Students no longer have to get their food and go home or hunt for a seat on the SSC Paw Walk.
Baccus says, “I can eat as much food as I want without having to worry about using up my swipes.”
While there have been improvements made to the cafeteria some students feel like the food still could be used more.
Lauren Baldwin, a sophomore agriculture-business major says, “the food is not giving what it gave last year” and “when I used to eat in the café, I used to get seconds, but now I don’t even get firsts.”
The grand opening for the Lion’s Den is not yet confirmed after a missed Homecoming deadline.
Following the grand opening, offices will be opened for certain organizations, a vending machine area, a gaming area and The Lion’s Den, which will be open to students at all times of the day.
This reconstruction has been a long time coming, but there is much to be expected for student life on campus.
The upgrades being made to the SSC are just one of the first steps being made on the campus preceding President Dr. Kent Smith’s 10-year plan that was announced earlier in fall 2022.
Changes are coming to Langston University, and the SSC is just the beginning of what to be expecting.
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The Gazette serves as the student voice of Langston University. It is produced within the Department of Communication as a teaching tool and local news source for the campus community. The views and opinions expressed within are those of the writers whose names appear with the articles and do not necessarily represent the views of Langston University.
