In an effort to create a more student-friendly campus, University officials will open another dining facility.
The Office for Business and Financial/Auxiliary Service and Coleman Library have teamed up to open a new café on the ground level of the old student study lounge.
Jazzman’s will open its doors on Monday, as a resourceful café for student dining and Internet access.
Ruth Swann, associate director of libraries said students could rest assured they will not be losing a study lounge, but gaining a place with a Web surfing and dining combo.
Cassundra Edwards, marketing intern for Sodexho Alliance explained that, “[Jazzman’s] will serve coffee, espressos, smoothies, gourmet sandwiches, salads, iced coffee, brownies, cookies, mochas, fresh baked pastries and cappuccinos.
Sodexho Alliance is a Food Management Service that provides food for the University. Edwards agrees that Sodexho cares about the smallest detail when it comes to satisfying the desires of students, especially in a socially pleasant atmosphere.
“Jazzman’s will offer a central convenient and collaborate learning environment where students, faculty and staff can interact while utilizing library resources,” said Michael Smith, Director of Auxiliary Services.
The café is said to foster a student-teacher bond through dining together.
“We want our facility and landscape to compare or exceed other campuses,” Smith said.
“The library is seeking not only to satisfy customer needs, but surprise and delight our customers with our customer service,” Swann said.
She also explained that Jazzman’s would help prevent students from having to take a break from their studies or lose their parking space to go out and get food.
Despite the positive aspects of the new dining area, some students remain apprehensive about the new facility.
“I don’t think [Jazzman’s] should be in the library, because it will bring unnecessary traffic throughout the library,” said Elzora Knight a freshman architecture student from Live Oak.
Other students are awaiting the change with some excitement.
“I feel it is convenient that FAMU dining services is offering a food and beverage café in the library,” said Monique Cobbins 21, a junior agricultural business student from Kansas City, Mo.
“It will alleviate students from stopping their studies to hike across campus and grab something to eat,” she said.
Jazzman’s hours will be Monday thru Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m., 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. As well as a shorter Friday schedule of 8:30 a.m.- 10 a.m., 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. Jazzman will be closed on the weekends.
Anthony S. Ray Jr. can be reached at aj4_21@hotmail.com