Augustana College – Center for Student Life

Augustana’s 21-year-old centerpiece, The Center for Student Life, was reenergized with a $20 million construction project. The Center, which is connected to the library, has added dining, meeting rooms, and offices which enhances the campus and improves student recruitment and retention. It also provides a connection from the residence halls on the upper campus to the academic buildings on the lower campus.

The new 23,740 SF dining center includes contemporary Marché (market) stations where students choose their own ingredients and interact with the chefs while their meals are freshly prepared. An all-you-care-to-eat operation replaced a declining balance system which increased student satisfaction. A new trayless operation encourages healthier eating, reduces food waste, labor, energy, and warewashing. By replacing two existing dining operations, the new Marché concept significantly reduces operational costs.

This board plan operation has seating for 700 diners and is integrated with the Marché stations. Students can conveniently make multiple trips to the stations which helps avoid taking more food than they would consume. Fresh market options include Wild Thymes with made-to-order vegan and vegetarian entrees, American Grill with comfort food, The Carvery Rotisserie, Green Creations Salad Bar, and an all-day Breakfast Nook. The dessert station looks into the display bakery. Global Fusion Mongolian Grill and Bella Luna pasta bar are remote from the kitchen and are joined by a support pantry.

In addition, the kitchen supports multipurpose student activity rooms as well as faculty dining. The Brew by the Slough coffee shop and deli were renovated including an expanded outdoor patio.