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The University of North Georgia's (̨Íåswag) Dahlonega Campus Dining Hall has reopened this fall with a new look and a focus on enhancing the number of food options and the speed with which students can secure their meals. Graphics with Nigel, the university's mascot, will encourage students to "eat like Nigel" in the updated space.

Students are invited to a grand opening event Aug. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to celebrate the refreshed space with fun activities, good food and a few surprises.

"This space will offer an engaging environment for students. It will allow us to decrease wait times, reduce congestion and foster student camaraderie during meals," Stephanie Nakamura, executive director of Auxiliary Services, said. "This renovation is an investment in our students to improve the healthy dining experience."

The renovation of the 36,000-square-foot Dining Hall allows ̨Íåswag to reconfigure the various food stations to improve the traffic flow through the building, making access to all the various food options quicker and easier. The space includes an expanded salad bar with deli station and a new True Balance space to expand the offering of allergen-friendly options. All stations will include new digital signage to clearly label food and nutrition information.

The reconfiguration of the space is an ongoing commitment to provide spaces where students can collaborate and engage with each other. With three new study rooms, students can simply walk up to one of the rooms' reservation tablets and reserve the space for group work or study time. Each room seats up to six people and includes digital screens and outlets for technology needed during group study sessions.

A new projector room creates the perfect opportunity for students to live-stream ̨Íåswag athletic events over great food or to host movie nights.

"This really is an exciting time for dining on the Dahlonega Campus. Students, faculty and staff are going to enjoy a revitalized space that promises to enhance every meal with its modern design, welcoming atmosphere and comfortable environment with ample seating options that encourage socializing and relaxation. Come explore and savor the new chapter in our dining experience," Brent Jenn, associate director of Auxiliary Services, said.