The beginning of the school year is always full of changes, and this year the Saint Francis campus experienced an immense one. A new level of social connection emerged with the new Welcome Center, specifically the Dining Commons. After years without a proper cafeteria, the Lancers finally have a central spot to share lunch and spend time together. Elizabeth Davidson (’27) recalls last year’s struggles: “It was hard because last year we were so spread out, I feel like you would really only see the people you sat with every day.” Not to mention the fact that many of the tables were outside, causing quite a ruckus during a rainy or particularly chilly day. The new building has been a solution for these two problems, giving students a chance to congregate with a larger number of people and offering shelter no matter the weather.

Another way that the dining experience at Saint Francis has transformed is the variety of entrees and snacks. With a larger facility, new items have been added to the menu. It seems like each week there is a new item being added or gaining recognition. For example, Annie Carr (’28) says, “I’ve been really loving the açaí bowls. All the ingredients are really fresh and go well together.” Hospitality Manager Winston Wint, who has been with this building since its original blueprints 11 years ago, brings up a good point: “Students are now able to see the meals, instead of just being handed food through a window.” This begs the question: could the increased visibility of the food prompt students to try new things, therefore leading to these cafeteria microtrends? 

Students experience novelty in many ways in the cafeteria. A new addition to the drink assortment is a slushy machine. The students got to ultimately decide whether or not slushies would be added to the menu. A few days before the slushy machine arrived, Winston approached every student in the lunch line with the Amazon page pulled up, eagerly asking if they wanted slushies. This interaction gives an insight to the future of the cafeteria, where students are actively involved in decision making processes ultimately fostering a stronger community. However, some things are too good to change. The classic Saint Francis chocolate chip cookie is still served every day and has maintained its usual cult following, with an abundance of cookies being made and eaten daily. 

However, the community of the cafeteria is not just limited to the hours of lunchtime. There are breakfast options available as early as 7:15 AM, which include breakfast burritos, yogurt parfaits, and a daily special from the Chef’s Table. Last year, the Chef’s Table was a temporary setup outside that was only available on select Gold days. Now the new building has allowed it to be a daily occurrence. The Welcome Center is also a popular space after school. Winston remarks, “It’s unbelievable the socializing I see in here. You can see students after school, it gets packed in here, which I think says a lot.” The cafeteria also serves as a place for students to meet with friends, do homework, and fuel up before practice after the school day is over. Furthermore, the space’s abundant seating and large screens make it perfect for clubs to host events. Clubs like FASU and IGNITE have already utilized the space for events, and many more are expected to join them. The future of Saint Francis is unfolding before our eyes, and many students are getting to witness the wonderful opportunities that have risen out of the new space.