MUC offers fun away from classes |
Melissa Stein |
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Thirty-three years old and wanting a new look, the Morris University Center still knows how to have a good time. Comedians yuck it up in the MUC select Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in Cougar Den in the Just For Laughs series. Bands perform at 11:30 a.m. select Thursdays in the Goshen Lounge or the Stratton Quadrangle in the "Livewire" fall semester concert series. The Soup and Substance series will also continue. Soup and a sandwich is served and current issues are discussed among students, faculty and staff at 12 p.m. select Wednesdays in the Opapi Lounge. A Taste of Culture is brought to the Goshen Lounge select Tuesdays at 11 a.m. with cultural performances or demonstrations. Center Stage activities occur select Wednesdays at 12 p.m. in the Goshen Lounge, featuring games, demonstrations and live music. The Coffeehouse Showcase will also continue select Thursdays at 8 p.m. in the University Restaurant on the upper level of the MUC. Participants in the showcase are encouraged to read poetry, tell jokes or speak out about an issue. Movies are shown in the Opapi Lounge and dances, fairs, lectures and cultural events are throughout the year in the MUC. Most activities are free, but some require paid admission. Keep your eyes and ears open for the many things to do in the MUC. For more information on MUC activities, contact the University Center Board at 650-3371. The recreation center, now named Cougar Lanes, is tucked away in the corner of the lower level of the MUC. Cougar Lanes offers bowling, billiards, foosball, video games, table tennis, air hockey and darts. A bowling game on one of the 16 lanes is 75 cents for students and $1 for nonstudents Monday through Friday. Friday after 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, a game of bowling is $1.25 for students and $1.50 for nonstudents. Lane rental per hour is $5 for students and $6 for nonstudents. Bowling shoes are required, and shoe rental is 75 cents for both students and nonstudents. A game of table tennis or pool on one of the 14 billiard tables is $2.40 per hour for students and $3 per hour for nonstudents. Cougar Lanes is also available for birthday parties. At $5 per person, the basic package will get the birthday boy or girl one bowling lane for two hours, free rental shoes, a signature pin, a 20-ounce soda and a free gift for each guest. Other options are a cake or a pool table for $2 an hour. When it comes to battling hunger, SIUE has all the necessary weapons. The Skywalk cafe, which is located on the skywalk between Founders Hall and Alumni Hall, is one of many additions and changes SIUE has made to improve dining quality. "We've moved some food areas around," said Food Service Administrator Virginia Moran. "Cougar Den will really look different." Pizza Hut Express, located in the cafeteria on the bottom floor of the Morris University Center, is moving into Cougar Den, allowing pizza to be served in more of a restaurant-style atmosphere. The hot dogs and hamburgers that were regularly served in Cougar Den will be moved to the Center Court area of the cafeteria. Moran said cheese sticks and other popular hot items will still be served in the Main Course area of Center Court rather than in Cougar Den. Center Court will still house Taco Bell, the potato bar, salad bar and various other foods. Students can also eat in the Back Court located at the opposite end of the cafeteria. This area is home to Chick-Fil-A and the deli. Students can choose from a hot or cold sandwich and watch some television while they eat. The University Restaurant offers an alternative to the fast food found in the cafeteria. The restaurant has a daily buffet, salad bar and dessert bar with ice cream and other pastries. Union Station, located across from the University Bookstore in the MUC, offers students the opportunity for a quick snack. Union Station has various candies, cold drinks, chips and cookies. Woodland Hall contains a cart with hot dogs and other food items for people who live in the residence hall. The Commons in Cougar Village has the Commons Grill, which is a fast food-type restaurant with hamburgers and hot dogs. The Commons Grill also has a grocery store area where residents can pick up what they need to have a healthy diet. There are various other snack and drink machines located throughout the campus. Students can use their meal plans to purchase any items in the cafeteria, Woodland Hall, the Commons Grill and Union Station. For further information, contact Food Services at 650-3040 | |