New Dining Enhancements Coming to Bucknell This Fall, Driven by Student Feedback

Bucknell students will return to campus this fall to find a host of new dining updates designed to enhance their experience, all inspired by student feedback and made possible by Bucknell's continued partnership with Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services.

From expanded menu options to revamped dining spaces and community-building events, the changes reflect a shared commitment between the University and Chartwells to ensure students have access to diverse, nutritious and enjoyable meals. 

"Our team gathered student input and made it our blueprint," says Abbi Miller, marketing manager for Chartwells at Bucknell. "These updates are designed to enhance the dining experience, making it more welcoming and enjoyable."

What's New This Fall

Yella’s, a New Jersey-based fast-casual restaurant chain, is one of the updated eateries students can enjoy this fall in The Bison. Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications

Yella's: This regional fast-casual restaurant chain, based in New Jersey, is now part of The Bison, providing comfort-food favorites like specialty chicken sandwiches, burgers, fries, breakfast sandwiches and milkshakes. Menu items from the former Copperhead Jacks and True Burger eateries will continue to be available in Bostwick Social House.

Students can enjoy açai and smoothie bowls at 'ray & co. in The Bison. Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications

'ray & co.: The Bison now features this açai and smoothie bowl station, which serves customizable bowls with fresh fruit all day. 

Bucky's Burritos & Bowls: In Bostwick Marketplace, students can order customizable burritos, bowls and salads with fresh, flavorful ingredients, including rotating proteins and vegan and vegetarian options.

Seating upgrades in Bostwick Marketplace: In response to student feedback about making the space feel less like a traditional cafeteria, new booth seating and high-top tables will be added, creating cozier, small-group and individual seating areas. 

New stations in Bostwick:

• Avoiding Gluten Nook: This is a new designated area in Bostwick that features a purple fridge stocked with gluten-free breads and wraps. Students avoiding gluten will also be able to find cereal, baked goods and snacks in this area.
• Rooted Station: Bucknell's vegan/vegetarian station will have an enhanced presence with clearer signage and promotion so students know plant-based options are always available.

Caret symbol labels: New ^ icons will help students identify manufactured food items that contain additional ingredients that may be important for those with food allergies or intolerances.

7th Street Café updates: The menu at this campus favorite is expanding. All Star Bagels joins as a featured partner, serving up fresh bagels and breakfast sandwiches, as well as Old Mill Creamery, which will be providing ice cream for milkshakes in specialty seasonal flavors. Plus, an expanded selection of bakery items will now be available.

Revolution Noodle: This MacDonald Commons eatery will offer made-to-order sushi and an expanded menu including bao buns and dumplings.

Popular Events Return 

Supper Club: This elevated dining experience launched last year. Supper Club encouraged students to dress up for a memorable meal featuring plated service, tablecloths, silverware and an upscale ambiance. This fall, the tradition continues with a "Harvest Supper" planned at the Bucknell Farm — complete with farm-to-table cuisine, festive mocktails and a cozy autumn theme. 

Joy-Ful series: Last year, Chartwells produced two large-scale campus events featuring food, music and fun. These events took place in early fall and around Thanksgiving and are expected to happen again this year.

Teaching kitchens: Hands-on cooking classes for students and student organizations will continue, including cultural cooking sessions led by guest chefs. Last year's events included a popular no-butter chicken recipe with Chef Bao, a renowned Thai-American chef and Food Network personality.

Bucknell traditions: Beloved events like Cafsgiving will continue with updated elements to keep them fresh and exciting.

More Campus Updates

In addition to dining enhancements, Bucknell is rolling out other student-centered improvements this fall.

Laundry at no additional cost: Students living in campus housing can now do laundry without paying per load. Laundry services are now included in existing housing and student fees. Students can now swipe their Bucknell ID for unlimited access.

On-demand downtown shuttle: A new app-based shuttle service offers students flexible transportation to and from downtown Lewisburg. Replacing the former fixed-route shuttle, this new system lets students request pickups from designated campus locations. The campus loop shuttle will continue running on its regular schedule.