The newly renovated student center is now a popular hub for getting food with friends and grabbing a bite to eat between classes. This is my second year at Temple University, so I am aware of the student center. Obviously, it’s completely different this year. But let’s really think about what it used to be like in the student center compared to how it is now. Are these changes actually better, or are they worse?
I didn’t even know that they were renovating the SAC until I moved back onto campus so this was very new to me. I wasn’t sure how to feel about the new changes at first because I honestly didn’t really mind the old version of the student center. It wasn’t the best, but as a college student who mostly cooks pasta and eats bagels, I’m honestly not looking for fancy meal items and to spend too much money on.
Walking into the newly renovated SAC at first was unusual because I had been so used to the previous building and now all of a sudden it was very different. This first day, I went to the new Starbucks with some friends and I actually really loved it. I like this new addition because it really makes it feel more comfortable. I also like the fact that you can sit there with your friends or with a computer and study but at the same time you are right in the middle of everything—which I think is a nice touch. It is nice to feel as though I can hang out and grab a coffee but still be in the hustle and bustle. I also ran into friends as I sat there because the Starbucks is right in the middle of the SAC so that just added to the comfort and the social atmosphere that I feel was lacking last year.
In terms of the food court though, I have only been once and my experience wasn’t as great. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s really cool that they added a Chick-Fil-A and all those other good places but to me it just wasn’t worth it to wait in those lines. Some people don’t mind waiting in lines but I get really impatient! I remember last year in the SAC they had to-go items that you could grab if you were rushing or if you didn’t want to wait in any lines and that was really convenient. It was also better because they had Kosher to-go options and I’m Jewish so I used to really appreciate that they offered that. But now they don’t have this option anymore. You have to wait in the lines for everything and there is no quick option unless you make it at a good time where the lines are shorter. I guess that is the price you pay when you get more popular food options (literally, the price you pay!) I did try going once at 12 p.m. lunch hour and it was crowded to the point where it seemed every table was filled.
The layout is extremely different from last year but I don’t mind the new change too much. I liked how last year there were different sections you could sit at and it wasn’t just one big area. Now it gives me more of a mall food court vibe and it’s all pretty much one big room but I don’t really mind it too much. Also, it is very neat and clean looking now, which is important.
All in all, I really do enjoy the new and improved SAC. I think it’s way nicer and cleaner looking and it has more of a comfortable vibe to it. Although I wish the lines could be shorter and that they maybe could add cheaper options and to-go items like last year, overall, I really do enjoy the new student center. Just look at that nice new wood flooring!