When students return to the University of Louisiana at Monroe campus on Monday, Aug. 23, they’ll find an even wider array of dining options to help nourish their mental muscles in between classes, including a popular restaurant chain featuring freshly-baked bagels, an express lunch line version of Schulze Cafeteria, and the return of an additional coffee shop location.

Trevathan

Mike Trevathan, director of auxiliary enterprises at ULM, said student-driven research, first initiated during Dr. James Cofer’s tenure as president, provided feedback regarding the type of dining services that students were seeking.

Quick, healthy, grab-and-go options were the preferred choice and Einstein Bros Bagels fit the bill almost perfectly. The idea to bring Einstein Bros Bagels to campus was initiated by Trevathan several years ago and was recently reborn under the direction of ULM Vice President for Business Affairs Dave Nicklas and Interim President Steve Richters, according to Robert Hoag, director of dining services at ULM.

Trevathan said that the opening of the new Einstein Bros Bagels – a first for northeast Louisiana just as the opening of the campus Starbucks was a few years ago – should prove to be a popular choice for many. The store features freshly baked bagels, specialty cream cheeses, breakfast bagels, fresh soups, sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, specialty coffees and espresso-based drinks and will operate from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Fridays. The Student Union Building is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

In addition, students have the option of a newly developed express lunch line in the Student Union Building, or “SUB.” Schulze Express aims to alleviate congestion in the SUB, where other popular restaurants like Subway, Chik-fil-A, Bene Grille, GrilleWorks and Home Zone are located, according to Trevathan.

“Schulze Express is an innovative concept proposed by Robert Hoag that will enable students to use their residential meal plan in a more centralized campus location,” he said. “Although the meal plan allows only one lunch per day at either Schulze Express or Schulze Cafeteria, it still affords greater flexibility and convenience for our entire campus family.”

“Our new openings will take a good deal of pressure off the lines at other popular eateries,” agreed Hoag, adding, “and these new options will enhance everyone’s dining experiences while here on the ULM campus.”

Java City also returns to action in the newly re-opened nursing building, following a two-year hiatus. The coffee shop addresses the needs of commuter students and those on the west side of campus who desire an alternative location closer to the commuter parking areas on Northeast Drive and the Intermodal Parking Building on University Avenue. The opening of Java City is supported by vehicle and pedestrian traffic studies, according to Trevathan.





Photo by ULM's Office of University Relations

Eisntein Bros Bagels logo courtesy