Faculty, staff have new dining option with opening of University Club

The University Club, a new dining option for faculty and staff located at 202 Norton Hall above the One World Café, opened for business on Wednesday.

The dining room has seating capacity for 60 people and is serving a buffet-style lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“The intent is that faculty and staff can come in, enjoy a quick meal and get back to work or class,” says Eric Blackledge, executive director for Campus Dining & Shops.

The new dining option was included in the design of One World, not only as needed space for food service, but as a place for faculty and staff to conference with one another, host meetings or cater special events.

While the construction of One World was completed in the spring, interruptions in the supply chain delayed the opening of the University Club until now, Blackledge says.

The buffet at the University Club will be all-you-can-eat at a fixed price with a rotating menu of fresh salads, soups, entrees and desserts. The meal comes with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, including soda, infused water, coffee and tea.

“We hope it gets continuous use throughout the semester,” Blackledge says. “Not everyone will go to lunch there every day, but it’s another option for faculty and staff to frequent.”

Campus Dining & Shops has the contract to operate the University Club through its Three Pillars Catering, UB’s preferred caterer.

Besides a kitchen, the University Club includes two conference rooms, each equipped with videoconferencing, and a seating capacity for 10 people. The adjoining rooms can be opened up to seat 20. Faculty and staff can reserve the rooms through the UB space request system.

Support from donors of the space is recognized by the naming of the Karen and Lester Gerhardt Dining Room and the Eileen Silvers and Richard Bronstein Conference Room.

The University Club also includes a bar that will be available upon approval of a liquor license from the New York State Liquor Authority.

In addition to providing regular dining service, the University Club will host a number of special events throughout the year. The first of those events will be a football-themed happy hour scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m.  on Sept. 8 prior to the Bulls’ home opener on Sept. 10.

“When we were talking about developing this space, that was one thing it was going to be used for – a place to host alumni and welcome faculty and staff before games and large events,” Blackledge says.