Kean University Eateries

By Brittany Fuentes | Published December 19, 2022

Food services at Kean University provide a range of food options, from meals at the dining hall to several eateries that are available for students across campus. However, the pandemic caused some of the eateries on campus to shut down in 2020 and many of those have not reopened.

Limiting the eating options students have as they seek a quick bite in between their classes. 

The dining options offered in the Miron Student Center are especially beneficial to commuter students. Providing students with various dining options such as Auntie Anne’s, Smashburger, Jersey Mike’s, a convenience store, and Cougar’s Den where students can order and pick up food through the boost mobile app.

Additionally, there are campus eateries such as a Starbucks that is located in the Nancy Thompson Learning Center as well as a cafe located on the campus Barnes & Noble in the Green Lane Academic Building.

Meal plans are not needed for these places and students can swing by before their classes, in between their classes, or even right before their commute back home. 

Making it convenient and accessible for students to nourish themselves even on their busiest academic days.

However, there was previously a Starbucks kiosk located on the third floor of the Center for Academic Success building, and was one of the eateries that closed down during the pandemic. 

Shanel McKenzie, the retail manager at Kean said, “It closed down because of lowered student registration. Afterward, it was never reopened because the university extended the hours of operation for the Starbucks in the Nancy Thompson Library.”

Similarly, the cafe located in the North Avenue Academic building was also closed down due to lowered student registration during the pandemic. 

There is also a residence dining hall provided for resident students located on the first floor of the new upperclassmen residence hall, that is open to commuters through meal plans offered by the university. 

Students have the option to purchase meal plans at the beginning of each semester which makes it easier for them to pick up food without worrying about paying at the moment. 

Flex dollars are also available for purchase as a form of payment on most campus eateries. Flex dollars can also be obtained through refunds from the University if students choose the option.

If students are not satisfied with the eateries located on the Kean University campus, there are many more options available near and around the campus. More diverse options can be seen, where students can go to enjoy meals with friends or on their own.  

Flex dollars and Cougar Cash can be used at most eateries off campus due to a partnership between the eateries and Kean University. Providing even more accessibility to food options for students. 

While there are currently no set plans for opening new eateries on campus, the cafeteria is currently doing rotations on the food being served to offer different options. 

Shanel McKenzie said, “the goal of the university is to have customer satisfaction, to give students a variation of foods to choose from. Above all they want to keep students satisfied and happy.”

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