Sept. 2—A new 55,000-square-feet student center has opened at 7,000-student University of San Diego.
The student center includes a variety of dining options for students including a full-service grocery store, multiple natural food choices, an area for live demonstrations and cooking classes offered in partnership with the Culinary Institute of America and several themed restaurants.
"[The facility was designed to] set a new standard for student dining and student life," Andre Mallie, director of auxiliary services, said in a press release. "We've provided a distinctive gathering place where all students-undergraduate, graduate and law-will find a sense of place and community."
The student center is the university's first building designed to be LEED-certified. The university is seeking gold-level certification for the building. Some of the environmentally friendly features of the facility include natural ventilation, an inner courtyard that promotes air flow, carpeting made from recycled materials and low-flow water fixtures that reduce water by 40%. The student center also features a BioHitech system, which breaks down excess food scraps, which is converted into water.