| RELATED INFO |
| * Purdue University Residences |
July 31, 2008
Purdue opens new $19 million dining court to the public
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - |
Located immediately south of Wiley Hall, the 500-seat freestanding dining court completes University Residences' plan to consolidate 11 cafeteria-style dining rooms to five architecturally distinct dining courts.
The new brick, lodgelike dining court is marked by large windows; vaulted wood ceilings; and stylish use of glass, steel and tile. A ring of internationally themed serving stations provide a broad menu of popular dishes including made-to-order pizzas, pastas and sandwiches. The court's distinguishing station is the Brazilian barbeque Churrasco.
Dining court manager Kari Glebe said that she believes Purdue is serving the only Brazilian barbeque between Chicago and Indianapolis.
"College students have been dining at aggressively marketed themed restaurants since they were very young," Glebe said. "They want good taste and good value, but they also want something new and they want to be entertained. "
The dining areas offer several large-screen televisions and free wireless Internet access. The building is located at the center of campus across from the Recreational Sports Center between the typically academic and residential areas of campus.
University Residences surveyed students extensively when designing the 46,450-square-foot facility. Director of dining services Sarah Johnson said the new facility will be a "destination dining" location that will draw diners from on and off campus.
"Students have an abundance of dining choices," Johnson said. "We have created a conveniently located, value-laden option that fits their lifestyles."
Johnson said the dining court's array of menu items, from Brazilian to traditional American, comes in response to a student body that is increasingly diverse and has high expectations.
Barbara Frazee, University Residences executive director, said the ongoing strategic $200 million investment in new and renovated housing and dining fulfills the organization's mission of providing a safe, comfortable, attractive and vibrant living environment for students.
"Facilities such as this new dining court help Purdue attract and retain a high-caliber student body from around the world," Frazee said. "That contributes significantly to the success of the universitywide mission."
The dining court will be dedicated during a special event in the fall.
Housing and Food Services is completely self-supporting. All capital and operating expenses, including University Residences' dining consolidation plan, are paid through user fees with no financial contributions from the university or the state.
University Residences serves 16,000 meals per day and houses nearly 12,000 students daily, making it the largest on-campus housing program in the nation where no students are required to live on campus. University Residences also feeds an increasing number of Purdue staff, faculty, and off-campus students and visitors.
"We expect facilities such as this new dining court to serve the entire community," Frazee saidWriter: Jim Schenke, (765) 494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu
Sources: Barbara Frazee, (765) 494-1000, bjfrazee@purdue.edu
Sarah Johnson, (765) 494-1000, scj@purdue.edu
Kari Glebe, (765) 496-7901, klglebe@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Journalists are invited and encouraged to dine at the new dining court. For more information, contact Jim Schenke at (765) 494-6262, jschenke@purdue.edu
PHOTO CAPTION:
Purdue University's newest dining court serves an internationally flavored menu with several made-to-order and vegetarian items. The lodgelike building at the center of campus can seat 500 people. (Purdue News Service photo/Jim Schenke)
A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2008/glebe-wiley.jpg
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