According to the Sacred Heart University website, “The class of 2024 has 1,681 students — the largest incoming class the university has seen.” With growing numbers of students each year comes expansions of campus size.
Sacred Heart’s campus has been growing since its opening in 1963. New developments have included on-campus housing, academic buildings and a new fitness center. The Upper Quad is set to conclude construction in August 2021, and with it, a new dining hall will open.
Upper Quad is a central location on campus and will be within a close walking distance to many dorms, providing easy access to the new dining hall.
“The new Upper Quad dining hall will be opening in the fall of 2021. Even though we are still finalizing menus and concepts, there will be plenty of dining options, including a wood burning pizza oven and house made pasta,” said Kayla Hawley, the Sacred Heart Dining Marketing Director.
Some students are excited for the dining hall to be a part of their undergraduate experience.
“I think the Upper Quad dining will add to the campus by making it more convenient for students and allowing students to have more variety and options in regard to their dining choices on campus,” said senior Anna Martinelli. “I wish it were finished being built so I’d be able to go and try it out, but I am happy that the underclassman and future students will get to experience this new dining hall.”
In addition to new spots to eat, Sacred Heart has also been updating current dining options.
“At the Linda’s salad station, they changed the layout,” said Martinelli. “They added new Greek toppings like artichoke hearts, Greek olives and tzatziki dressing. They also have pickled onions, which they never had in the past.”
“We made quite a few changes and enhancements to the dining program this semester. Not only did we transition our salad station to incorporate on-trend Mediterranean dishes, we also rebranded our smoothie station and menu to offer new items,” said Hawley.
Due to COVID-19, many students have turned to the Boost app and the Dine on Campus website to check out what is offered for the day. The website not only displays the exact food but the calories that go along with the meal.
“It was nice and quick to grab lunch and get back to my busy day,” said Martinelli.
The SHU Dining social media can also be used to obtain information. Weather-permitted closing times can be seen on the SHU Dining Twitter. Their Instagram provides pictures of new foods. Various videos can be seen welcoming students back to campus to catch them up with what’s new.
“Across campus at all of our dining locations, you can find new menu items added as well as a variety of weekly and monthly specials,” said Hawley.