By Iva Radman and Chelse Greaux
VCU InSight
Virginia Commonwealth University’s Market 810 at Shafer Court Dining Center on the Monroe Park campus has been named a Dining Hall of Distinction by University Business Magazine.
Market 810, operated by Aramark, was the winner in the Public Institution category. A total of 65 higher education institutions from around the country submitted applications for the award.
The magazine judged schools on several different criteria, such as atmosphere, service, variety of offerings, guest satisfaction, and environmental sustainability. Shafer serves about 5,000 students a day. Almost all of them are student with prepaid VCU meal plans.
VCU Director of Business Services Diane Reynolds says VCU is proud of the award. Reynolds thinks the initiatives they take set them apart from other schools.
“We’re constantly asking, we have focus groups, we have dining programs in smaller groups with students to really keep our finger on the pulse of what it is that they’re seeking and what they need.”
Some students like freshman pre-nursing major Jessica Dunn says VCU doesn’t compare to other Virginia universities.
“The food is good but it’s not like the best food. I’ve been to other colleges like Virginia Tech and James Madison and they have really good food.”
While others like senior community health major major Tim Pierce disagree. Pierce says it’s an honor.
“It’s very impressive knowing that I’m actually eating at probably one of the best cafeterias at one of the universities here in Virginia.”
Reynolds insists that dining goes beyond food. She says it’s about having a place for students to accommodate students’ ever-changing lives.
“It’s an important element of student life and although it’s not the sole reason why student would select VCU, it is an element that I say is icing on the cake.”
The dining center, which was built in 2004 for $18 million, was designed by Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company of Norfolk.
