Dining
Meet You at The Commons.
More Choices. More Convenience. More Connection.
Opened in 2018, the University Commons is the go-to dining and social destination for residential and commuter students and the faculty and staff who support you. Offering space to share meals, unwind, and recharge your batteries (literally), the University Commons is all about choice, convenience, and connection to our learning community. From Starbucks® to Spirit's Restaurant Rotation, to our sushi bar and delicious entrées prepared right before your eyes, come on in and see what's on the menu.
For more information, events, menus, and
First Floor
The first floor welcomes you through a soaring glass main entrance as well as direct entry to the specialty and grab
Starbucks Café
Starbucks® Café is your go-to stop for your favorite brews and an array of pastry and bread products, baked in-house and fresh daily.
Spirit's Restaurant Rotation
Our Spirit’s Restaurant Rotation will feature on-trend food, creating a one-of-a-kind culinary destination. The rotations will deliver variety to our campus community so be on the lookout for what’s next! The restaurants will be carefully crafted for convenience, have fresh ingredients, and offer healthy options.
Rotations will include Mexican, barbeque, Pacific-inspired, Latin-inspired, ramen, and more! Each menu will have signature items and the ability to create your own meal.
Grille Works
Hungry for a grilled sandwich for breakfast, lunch, or dinner? This campus favorite is just the right choice when you are on-the-go with mouth-watering choices made hot off the grille.
Food Court
What are you hungry for? The expanded Food Court has it all for a quick bite between classes.
- Hot Food Bar—choose from a rotating menu and seasonal offerings
- Soup & Salad Bar—create your own gourmet salad from a variety of veggies and proteins
- Expanded Grab ’n Go Options—If you’re really in a hurry, you’ll appreciate the handy beverage coolers, grab ’n go sandwiches and salads, snacks, and desserts
The Bear’s Den and Faculty/Staff Club
The Bear’s Den and Faculty/Staff Club offers an alternative dining option for faculty and staff in a quiet dining venue.
Second and Third Floors
Our full-service dining option, called the Fresh Food Company, spans two floors with a variety of seating choices for when you want to hang out with large groups, chat with friends, or study while you eat. Brick oven pizza, delicious baked goods, and freshly prepared meals made just for you take dining at Western New England to a whole new level.
Fresh Food Company
Fresh is the operative word at the Fresh Food Company, the new full-service dining option. Residential and commuter students (as well as faculty and staff) can choose from a variety of food stations, including pasta/pizza, Asian, home cooking, deli/salad/soup, allergy-friendly, and more. The emphasis is on creating a community gathering space for socializing and connecting to members of the campus community.
Offering multiple food stations and seating options, the Fresh Food Company approach is all about fresh ingredients and freshly prepared entrées. The welcoming atmosphere embraces sustainability and functionality in a restaurant-style environment that offers something for everyone.
Dining Stations include:
- Home Zone
- Grill
- Pizza/Pasta
- Wok Station
- Allergen Station
- Soup & Salad Bar
- Deli
- Bakery/Desserts
Check out meal plan options for residential and commuter students and faculty/staff.
Fourth Floor
This floor includes spaces for meetings (such as catered events), the University Trustees Room, and an outdoor terrace for University functions.
Health & Wellness Program
Good food is essential to a healthy life. The WNE dining experience is designed to give our community members a variety of food choices and information about their dining options.
Health & Wellness Initiatives include:
- Nutritional highlights and information, available at the station and online
- Education
- Partner with MyFitnessPal
- Programming
Recharge
Select seating areas are wired with electric outlets and USB ports to recharge phones, tablets and laptops. Since much of the seating is movable, other secure charging locations are also available. These have user-defined access codes (similar to hotel room safes that allow the guest to program their own access code).
Hungry for more? Come on in and check out the University Commons for yourself!