One of the main concerns for both incoming and returning students alike is where and when they will eat their meals, not to mention what their choices will be.
For the past two years, Campus Dining Services and its partner, Aramark, have been working hard to offer students a healthier and larger selection from which to choose meals.
"Penn Dining has something for everyone," said Laurie Cousart, contract and relationship manager of Campus Dining Services, noting the increasing range of options.
Although Dining Services projects that more students will purchase meal plans this year than they have in the past, numbers have not yet been released.
Though student meal plans have changed little from last year - freshmen are still required to have a meal plan and the four meal plans offer a mix of dining hall meals and Dining Dollars there are several additions to various eating locales throughout campus.
1920 Commons will now include a make-your-own omelette station and both 1920 Commons and Hill House will feature freshly prepared sushi for dinner.
The express meals available at Hill House, where students can choose from a selection of premade sandwiches and snacks, has extended its hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Fridays. Previously, the express station had been closed between lunch and dinner times.
Mark's Cafe, which opened last year in Van Pelt Library, will now sell hot panini sandwiches and assorted pastries.
Falk Dining Commons, the kosher faculty within Steinhardt Hall, will now provide students with a kosher-certified catering service.
One of the more noticeable changes will be the introduction of a new dining campaign entitled Just4You, a program that aims to give students a variety of healthy options from which to choose, including low-carb, fat free, low-calorie and vegetarian selections.
College sophomore and vegetarian Rachel Aronson decided to keep her meal plan this year, despite the limited options last year.
"The vegetarian options last year were livable but not enjoyable," she said. "There's always enough food to eat but I feel like vegetarian options were sort of an afterthought."
Aronson added that she is happy that Campus Dining services will begin to focus more on the vegetarian menu through the Just4You program and looks forward to trying it out.
The new program is set to be launched this fall in Kings Court/English House and Houston Market, and is meant to give students their own choices, as opposed to Dining Services serving only one style of healthy eating.
Aramark Guest Services Manager Erin Lafferty said that both Penn and Aramark "try to be as responsive as possible" to students' requests. Dining officials solicit opinions through both on-line and paper surveys as well as student meetings.
