Claudia Cole/Forty-Niner On-line
President Robert Maxson and A.S. President Suzie Aramesh sample food from Panda Express, one of the new vendors in University Dining Center. Maxson officially welcomed the new vendors to the center at the ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday.

Maxson inaugurates new plaza

By Tino Poti, Forty-Niner Online

The Cal State Long Beach University Dining Plaza, formerly called the International Food Court, held its grand opening celebration Wednesday.

CSULB President Robert Maxson cut the plaza's ribbon soon after the ceremony's 11:45 a.m. opening. Maxson said he was excited about the new additions to the plaza.

"The students seem to be so excited about it," Maxson said. "The people that are serving (in the new restaurants) are student-friendly. It's really exciting."

Marisol Rosas, an English major and cashier at the plaza, said she likes the new additions as well. "The prices are cheaper," she said. "Some students have actually said that they get to try other things and they like the fact that they don't get charged taxes (on the food), because they're students."

The four new additions to the plaza are Taco Bell Express, Boar's Head Deli, Chick-fil-A and Panda Express.

Nursing major Joann Fernandez said she enjoys the new food served in the plaza as well. "The food is a lot better and there's more selections than last semester," she said.