College Power Players: Cornell

47. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Dining Head: Gail Finan, director of Cornell Dining
Total Enrollment: 21,593
Students Living on Campus: 7,400
No. of Meal Plans Sold: 10,208
Annual Dining Program Revenues: $51.4 million
Cost Range of Residential Meal Plans: $2,225-$3,230/semester
No. of Residential Dining Halls/Commons: 10
No. of Retail Outlets: 21
Management: self-operated
Website: dining.cornell.edu
Phone: (607) 255-5368

The third-ranked campus dining program in the most recent Princeton Review listing, Cornell Dining recently rolled out its renovated Dairy Bar, which had been operated previously by the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and which serves ice cream and other dairy-based treats produced at Cornell's own dairy processing plant, along with specialty coffees and a full breakfast and lunch menu.

Also new is Cornell’s only on-campus pub, The Bear’s Den, which serves beer, wine, pizza, grinders, and other favorites, and is a popular location for student programs like trivia nights and DJ parties. New to the Ivy Room food court is Bamboo, showcasing Pan-Asian cuisine such as Vietnamese, Korean and Thai specialties. Café Jennie is Cornell Dining’s newest and arguably most popular café, operated in partnership with The Cornell Store.  

Menu offerings at each of the 10 AYCTE dining commons are unique to each venue, ensuring a wide variety of dining options for students.  The most recent service offering, Sweet Sensations, is designed for friends and relatives to remember a special occasion or send along a message to their students with a special occasion cake, designer cupcakes and seasonal Cornell baked goods.

Next: 47. University of Texas-Austin, Austin, TX
Previous: 46. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI