The Best Food on Campus

    "My favorite part of working at Scranton Commons is getting to know the kids and making them smile," explains Barb Dahlman, a card swiper at Scranton Commons Dining Hall. Scranton Commons, named for previous governor of Pennsylvania, William W. Scranton, is the main hub for a wholesome dining experience on Bloomsburg University's campus. The dining hall was initially opened in 1970 but just recently had a major renovation in 2014. To enter commons a student must use a meal swipe off of their Bloomsburg ID card, guests on campus can also make a cash or credit payment to enter. As a card swiper Barb has more of an interaction with the students than the other employees of Scranton Commons who just ask what food a student would like on their plate and move on. Most students find the dining hall to be a comfortable place to relax and eat with friends or eat alone and have a study session between classes. Scranton Commons offers a calm atmosphere for students at any point in their day to hangout and have a good meal.

 

 

Figure 1

    After entering any of the three sets of double doors leading into the dining hall the mixed scent of Subway and Starbucks and the buzz of conversation immediately hits your senses. The card swipers on duty are there and ready to swipe in any student or guest at Bloomsburg University, telling each person to enjoy their meal. In front of the first set of booths for seating there is a glass wall that features Bloomsburg University's mascot, the husky named Roongo (Figure 1). The many options for food choice are laid out in a long line, ranging from the Home station, to Sushi, all the way down to the vegetarian station. At the home station students can usually find a kind of protein with potatoes, vegetables, and a pasta dish. At the busy times throughout the day students are more likely to take advantage of the home station rather than the create your own pasta or rice because the lines more quicker. The sushi station has four different types of sushi that are the same everyday, the favorite of students is the spicy crab roll. Following the sushi station a station with foods from around the world can be found. For dinner and lunch the options change but the favorites of students are perogies, grilled cheese, or chinese food. At the panini and sandwich station the daily options vary immensely, from a typical ham sandwich to a fancy type of panini. The create your own pasta station has long lines of students waiting for the delicious pasta that is made before their eyes. The sizzle station, located near the most popular seating area, offers foods such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and grilled cheeses with fries. When the dining hall becomes hectic during the lunch or dinner rush students find it convenient to grab something quick from sizzle or home to avoid long lines.

    On both sides of the dining hall an elaborate salad bar, including fresh fruit and yogurt, spreads out in front of guests giving them many options to top their salads with. Guests have four different types of lettuce to choose from, then they have the option to add corn, chick peas, olives, cheese, onions, chicken, tofu, or many other things, and finally they can top it off with any dressing that suits their craving. The final, and in some students opinions, the most important station is the homemade desserts. There are choices from freshly baked cookies with changing flavors every day to homemade cakes and pastries. Ice cream made right in commons has unique flavors that are rotated daily and if a student craves soft serve there is that option as well. Commons always has options for people of varying food allergies and lifestyle choices such as gluten free or vegetarian style eating. After grabbing some food students head to the seating areas and find a table to relax at with some friends. To see exactly what Scranton Commons has to offer view the following video:

    The constant clinking of silverware on plates can be heard over the buzz of friendly conversation and laughter. Students are at peace in Scranton Commons and are able to have a calm meal with friends or family. Students wave hello to other friends from across the dining hall and introduce their guests to them, then proceed to enjoy their meal together as a big group. Guests in the dining hall are pleasant to staff by always cleaning up after themselves and never having a rude thing to say. Whenever a person seems to be lost or out of place many students and staff are there with friendly faces to help them find what they need. Most of the time the students eating at commons wear comfortable clothes, but a few students are dressed to impress. After finishing a delicious meal, the students bring the dishes to the conveyor belt styled drop off area and walk straight to the homemade dessert station where the smell of freshly baked cookies never fails to make students grab a couple before heading out to class or their dorm. Bloomsburg University student, Cara, expressed her love for the cookies saying, "The warm, homemade cookies are easily my favorite thing about dining in Scranton Commons!"

    The modern lighting and large windows that are present on every wall create a bright and welcoming environment. The clear tables that are scattered throughout the dining area have a certain layout which includes, a napkin dispenser, a salt and pepper shaker, and a ketchup bottle (Figure 2). Without Scranton Commons Bloomsburg University would not be recognized by potential and current students as a great university in terms of food on campus. After entering Scranton Commons

Figure 2

for just a single meal swipe guests are able to enjoy as much food as they want, students find this option to be more appealing compared to other dining options on campus since most require an extra charge of flex dollars which students tend to run out of quickly. On Monday evenings the various sports teams of Bloomsburg University are found in commons gathering up the leftover food in a program called food recovery.

   As the main dining facility on campus, Scranton Commons strives to be the best it can be for students not only in terms of meals but also in terms of atmosphere. Barb Dahlman explained her relationship with students, "I get to know a lot of them and they come back to see me after they graduate." With friendly staff and the great student body Bloomsburg University offers, it is near impossible for any person to feel uncomfortable or out of place in the dining hall. One of the most important factors for new students at a university is to feel at home and at Scranton Commons they can feel like they're in their own kitchen.