Dining at the Employee Lounge with Peter Griswold (right), associate professor of special education and counseling, were two visitors from Twents Carmel College East of the Netherlands, Bertil Velthuis (left), and Eric Steffens

Coffee, dessert and news are now available to faculty and staff in a newly created space on campus set aside exclusively for them in the University Commons. The new Employee Lounge, which is adjacent to the Pioneer Restaurant, is open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Pete Mandik, associate professor of philosophy

“Our goal is to provide a casual, open space on campus for people to gather in an informal setting,” says Tony Cavotto, director, hospitality services. “This is a space to meet a colleague to confer about business over a quick cup of coffee or simply to get away from the noise and spend some quiet time away from the office.”

The lounge, which has a bar area, seats up to 30 people in a variety of chairs and tables. Starbucks’ Pike Roast coffee, a milder version of their coffee, is available for $1.50. Desserts, brought in from a local bakery, are $2.50. Guests can catch up on the latest news via two big-screen TVs, or in the free newspapers available on site which include the New York Times, The Record, and the Wall Street Journal. No purchase is necessary and guests are welcome to bring their own lunch or to visit the Pioneer Restaurant next door, where a buffet lunch is served from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Cavotto says that the space is available for departmental meetings during the hours that the lounge is closed and can also be used as a private rental space.