New semester, new look for Student Center dining

The ribbon is cut on the renovated retail space in the SUNY Poly Student Center in Utica.

A new semester kicked off with a fresh new look and some brand new food options at SUNY Poly, as the ribbon was cut to celebrate the grand re-opening of the newly renovated retail campus dining area in the SUNY Poly Student Center in Utica.

“We have a lot of great new concepts here in our new retail space,” said John Reale, SUNY Poly College Association Director. “It was a project that we were very passionate about during the summer months to make sure work could be complete before we came back for the fall.”

It was a packed house in the Student Center on Monday, August 29 as students, faculty, and staff alike filled the dining area of the center to witness the official opening of the redesigned space, with SUNY Poly Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Robert Geer doing the honors, cutting the ribbon and welcoming the start of another start to the school year.

Students try free samples of Utica Coffee during the ribbon cutting ceremony on the new retail space of the SUNY Poly Student Center in Utica.

“It’s great to welcome our students back, and this is certainly me hungry,” Dr. Geer joked with the crowd. “Sodexo has really pulled out all the stops to finish this on schedule and I’m sure students will love this new space and all the new options.”

The redesigned dining options at the Student Center include options like Wholly Habaneros, Slices Deli, Wildcat Grill, Glocal (with local foods that will rotate on a weekly basis), Fresh Food Market (featuring New York State food products and snacks) and for your caffeine or pastry fix – Utica Coffee Roasters.

“We’re so proud of this and we can’t wait for the students to experience it,” said Michael Lusk, General Manager of Sodexo.

Dining Services at the Student Center are open Monday through Thursday from 8 am to Midnight, Friday from 8 am to 1:30 pm, and Friday through Sunday from 6:30 pm to Midnight.