Monday, August 3, 2009

USD’s Student Life Pavilion Opens

slp-2The day, two years in the making, has finally arrived for the University of San Diego.

The Student Life Pavilion, a four-story, 50,000-square-foot-building near USD’s main entrance, opens for business today, providing something Auxiliary Services Executive Director André Mallié says elevates USD, “bringing a different experience to campus.”

It’s envisioned as one of the go-to places for students when their classes are not in session. It’s where everyone can gather and unwind, enjoy each other’s company, stimulate the conversation and build community.

The SLP offers a dozen different dining options, a full-service grocery store called Tu Mercado, a farmer’s market each Wednesday and new offices on the third and fourth floors for student organizations such as Associated Students, United Front Multicultural Center, Women’s Center, The Vista and USD Radio. The rooftop area, which will have a number of environmentally conscious elements because of the building’s LEED-certified status, provides even more breathtaking views of an already picturesque campus for visitors.

The SLP’s opening, too, is a reminder that a major renovation of the adjacent Hahn University Center has begun. The renovation, to be completed in November, will result in three additional dining areas, known collectively as La Gran Terraza. The SLP, which will have a formal grand opening celebration Sept. 24, is ready to serve the campus community.

slp-1The SLP’s main dining area on the ground floor serves breakfast and lunch a la carte before changing to an all-you-can-eat format for dinner. The dining area is open seven days a week (see dining hours for Aug. 3-9 below). Customers have a dozen unique dining options representing American, Italian and Mexican cuisines as well as Vietnamese, Mediterranean, Chinese and Japanese offerings. The variety of dining choices, Mallié believes, also serves as more than just a place to buy and consume food. “There is a cultural aspect to it,” he said. “We think the new dining options bring a very strong educational piece.”

There’s also a food station dedicated to showcasing a daily “Special Ingredient” to produce a uniquely creative entrée. Other specialized food areas include cereals, waffles, soups, salads, organic produce and fruit, soft serve ice cream and other desserts, and multiple drink stations.

Patrons can also take the stairs or elevator up to the second floor to find the ingredients they need for a meal at Tu Mercado. The grocery store offers fresh produce, bulk dry goods, dairy, meats, fish, a salad bar and ready-made meals. The market sells USD merchandise, books, magazines and more. Another food outlet is L’atelier, housed within Tu Mercado, which has a deli and also offers gelato, pastries, smoothies, espresso bar and prepared meals.

“The grocery store is very unique to college campuses,” Mallié said. “It enables us to bring a line of products to campus that will help us make a statement.”

One interesting aspect of SLP’s dining comes in the form of special cooking classes that utilize Tu Mercado, the farmers’ market, the “Special Ingredient” dining station and recipes from USD’s Culinary Institute of America-certified chefs.

The SLP offers enticing elements, but Mallié believes the only true way to know for sure is to be determined by those who frequent it.

“The greatest satisfaction is how they’ll react,” he said. “Did we meet their expectations? That’s what we’re waiting to see.”

— Ryan T. Blystone

SLP Dining hours for Aug. 3-9: Monday- Wednesday (breakfast 7-10 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m.); Thursday-Saturday (breakfast 7-10, lunch 11-3, dinner 4:30-8 p.m.); Sunday (breakfast 7-10).

For more information about the Student Life Pavilion, click here.


USD News Center