Trabant, Perkins offers diverse dining options

Gil Johnson, associate director of university student centers, said the location and design of Trabant University Center is unique compared to Perkins Student Center. He said the location of Trabant is ideal and was designed for students on-the-go, while Perkins has a different atmosphere.

“The flow of the facility is quite different from Trabant,” Gil said. “The additions to the facility created separate and compartmentalized areas that create a cozy feel.”

Senior Christine Scannell, president of Student Centers Programming Advisory Board, said she sees Perkins as a great place to study with a comfy, relaxed atmosphere. She said while Trabant is a more dynamic environment, Perkins is a place where people stay and get schoolwork done.

“You can grab a coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts and hang out there for a while,” Scannell said.

Sophomore Gabriel Lefton said although he lives closer to Trabant, he prefers Perkins because it is easy to find a seat, and Dunkin’ Donuts is a plus. He said when he does go to Trabant it is usually to pick up a package or to quickly grab food, while his reasons for going to Perkins are generally more activity related.

He said he has participated in many events and activities that met in Perkins, such as the swing club and the chess club, and thinks Perkins promotes socialization among smaller groups of people. He said the Bacchus Theater and Hen Zone in Perkins also attract students.

“Trabant is more utilitarian whereas Perkins is more social,” Lefton said. “In the evening the facility is vibrant with student group meetings and events.”

Scannell said the stage in Perkins makes it ideal for Tuesday night coffeehouses and comedy shows.

Yet some students, such as freshman Laura Russo, said they prefer Trabant because it is more convenient. Russo said Trabant is closer to her dorm, George Read Residence Hall, so it is easier for her to go there to study and eat.

She said she likes the new student lounge in Trabant and would rather study there than at one of the tables in Perkins. Although Russo said she prefers Dunkin’ Donuts and the Scrounge in Perkins over the food in Trabant, the center is too far from North Campus for her to go there often.

Sophomore Wei He said he also frequents Trabant because it is close to where he lives in Sypherd Residence Hall on North Green, although he prefer Perkins’ quiet atmosphere for studying. Trabant’s location contributes to a busier and louder environment, he said.

“It’s on the center of campus, so after class people usually come [there] and grab food,” He said.

Freshman Dan Clark said besides the occasional trip to Chik-Fil-A, he almost never goes to Trabant because it is too crowded and the students seem to always be in a rush. Like He, Clark said he has trouble finding a seat in Trabant during lunchtime, and the crowded atmosphere is the main reason why he chooses not to go there.

Scannell said the Trabant Lounge was built in part to address the space issues Clark and He mentioned. She said students who come to Trabant to study tend to take up whole tables, so the lounge frees up space for people who just want to stop in and each lunch between classes.