Tulane University’s third-year students are living on campus, filling new residence halls and navigating updated dining requirements. The shift has made Malkin Sacks Commons dining hall busier than ever, forcing some students to get inventive with how they cook in their dorms.
The university recently finished construction of Fogelman and Bayou Residence Halls, offering second- and third-year students updated amenities from the former Patterson Hall and Phelps and Irby Residence Halls that were built in the 1950s.
“Cooking food here is something we do together, which makes it a fun experience,” said Julia Drago, a junior living in Fogelman. “I like being able to pick your meals based on your preferences. Maybe you want to try a healthy new recipe [or] a fun recipe with your friends instead of being forced to go to the dining hall, eating the same food over and over again.”
While the Commons and the Lavin-Bernick Center for University Life typically offer a variety of options, including kosher, gluten-free or vegan, some students may have a hard time finding food that suits their dietary restrictions or needs.
“I don’t really like the Commons. It doesn’t always have the options that I want,” said Beth Scarborough, a sophomore living in Fogelman. “I don’t like the variety. I like being able to eat what I want to eat — not what the Commons has for the day.”
From pasta to chocolate chip cookies or biryani to brownies, students use creativity to their advantage in choosing their meals, often mixing flavors and experimenting with new recipes to satisfy their cravings.
“I saw somebody with two packets of steak with ten of their friends walking down [to the kitchen],” Drago said. “A lot of people cook pasta. A lot of people bake. I saw somebody with a pack of vegetables the other day, too.”
In addition to students’ newfound culinary freedom, the convenience and selection of nearby grocery stores, such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Rouses, allow students to stock up on ingredients and explore a wider range of ingredients beyond the Commons or LBC without having to go out for every meal.
“I meal-prep for the week usually once a week, I definitely eat healthier when I cook my own food rather than go to the Commons,” Scarborough said.
The new on-campus housing came with new parking rules that no longer allow students to have cars on campus, but many are still walking to nearby grocery stores to stock up on essentials.
“I’m willing to sacrifice convenience. I’ll literally walk to Whole Foods,” said Shane Auci, a junior living in Bayou. “I spend extra, it’s worth it because I feel better when I eat healthier and have control over what I eat.”