College students and faculty now have a new option when considering where to get their morning caffeine and mid-day snacks after Residential Life and Dining Services unveiled the Science Center coffee kiosk this Monday.

The kiosk was conceived as a response to requests by the Science Center Planning Committee for snacks and coffee in the atrium, and also functions as a satellite lunch station to ease noon traffic in dining halls, according to Associate Director of Residential Life and Dining Services Michelle Gross.

“Serving pre-made food from a satellite station will offer more dining space and service without the high operating costs of an added facility,” Gross said. Peak-hour dining hall congestion has increased this year due to the closing of Talcott dining hall and to Dascomb switching to take-out from its earlier all-you-can-eat buffet system.

General manager of Dining Services Rick Panfil said that he expects the kiosk to serve between 150-200 students a day.

Neuroscience Professor and member of the Science Center Planning Committee Denny Smith hopes the kiosk will further encourage students to study and relax in the atrium.

Many students rushing to class have already taken advantage of the kiosk. Senior Biology major Jasmine McCammon, while using the kiosk for her second time, said that in the future she expects to use it at least three times a week before her classes.

Junior Cinema Studies major Louise Cohen also intends to use the kiosk before her classes in the Science Center, although she would not go out of her way to come to the kiosk, she said.

The coffee kiosk accepts cash and flex dollars, offering a menu of pastries and breakfast items from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and pre-made salads and sandwiches from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prices are comparable to the Decafe, which will now open at 9 a.m. rather than 8 a.m.

The kiosk brews Pura Vida coffee, which is organic and fair trade, and all of its silverware and carry-away materials are biodegradable.