When getting a bite to eat around campus, have you noticed anything different? Over the summer of 2025, there have been major changes in the dining halls and meal plans here at Sacred Heart University (SHU).
Instagram, @shu_dining
Thea’s Abbey has undergone the most extensive changes. What used to be a made-to-order style dining hall is now an all-you-care-to-eat café. A lot of students are wondering what is now available at Thea’s, but many of the previously known options remain the same.
“Enjoy a rotating hot entrée station each meal period, along with favorites like the grill, outdoor kitchen, pizza, fresh house-made pasta, New York-style deli, salad bar, açaí bowls, and a full-service espresso/latte/cappuccino machine,” said Lisa Tammone, SHU’s Dining Director of Operations.
Similar to 63’s, at Thea’s Abbey students can now use one meal swipe to enter and get whatever they want. Changes were not just made to the layout of Thea’s Abbey, but all meal plans have been updated as well.
SHU Dining Marketing Director, Danielle Bahr, said that these new plans include new concepts such as unlimited all access swipes and guest meal swipes.
“Big Red Unlimited and Pioneer All Access plans now include unlimited All Access swipes in 63’s and Theas, so students never have to worry about when or how often they eat. Students can also enjoy two meal exchanges per day without time restrictions, $325 Dining Dollars, and five guest meal swipes per semester,” said Bahr.
This change at Thea’s is raising concern for students with the Jefferson Meal Plan, the meal plan designed for commuter students. This plan includes 500 dining dollars, but no meal swipes.
Mark Tammone, Resident District Manager of SHU Dining says that these changes will not impact commuter students’ eligibility to eat at these dining halls.
“Students can use dining dollars to enjoy Thea’s all-you-care-to-eat experience. For added convenience, students can order bundled retail items from the grill or deli using the self-service kiosk or Boost mobile ordering,” said Mark Tammone.
Senior Molly Luchsinger said the new concept of Thea’s Abbey was confusing to her at first. Luchsinger said she feels unsure how popular this new layout will be amongst students.
“It definitely is a huge change from when I lived in Bowman Hall my sophomore year and would eat at Thea’s Abbey regularly. I think it could be a good option for students who are not in a rush, but I think a lot of students will miss the on-the-go options for a quick meal in between classes,” said Luchsinger.
Aside from the changes in Thea’s Abbey, students can enjoy new stations at various dining halls around campus, according to Mark Tammone.
“We introduced Blends & Bowls in Linda’s, an exciting new concept that replaces Smoothie Lab and offers fresh, vibrant options. In the Library, we added Botrista, serving bubble tea, iced coffee, and smoothies, alongside Sound Coffee, a local partner who helped us create a custom Pioneer Blend just for our students,” said MarkTammone.
Mark Tammone also said that new additions have been added to the Martire Family Arena as well.
“Dippin’ Dots, featuring exclusive SHU-inspired flavors and colors, has been added to the Martire Family Arena and basketball concessions,” said Mark Tammone.
To stay up to date with any new changes, specials, or events on campus with SHU Dining, students can follow @shudining on Instagram and TikTok.
