As the Fall 2010 semester begins, Ivy Tech Community College–Northeast opens the doors to a new WiFi comfort lounge for students and employees called Café Verde. It is located on the Coliseum Campus (3800 N. Anthony Blvd.) and will offer more than just a quiet, comfortable place for students and employees to study or relax.

Café Verde consists of tables and chairs small groups can gather at as well as a lounge area containing of a three-person sofa and several sofa chairs with end tables. Besides aesthetic appeal of the space, it will provide free WiFi accessibility, healthy food and drink vending, healthy prepared food and drinks at designated times, and health-focused partnerships with academic programs in the college to provide students with hands-on experience.

Beginning Monday, the college’s food vendor, Java Loco, will begin selling salads, wraps, coffee, assorted drinks, fruit, among other options. Hours of service in this location will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. This will not affect Java Loco’s standard food service at its other two locations on campus.

Beginning Wednesday, September 29, Ivy Tech’s Culinary Arts program will serve healthy-focused lunch items at a minimal cost between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. each Wednesday until the end of the semester. Other partnerships involve the School of Health Sciences and other student organizations to provide several health screenings throughout the semester, most of which will be offered at no charge to individuals. These include, but are not limited to, weight, BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetic screenings. At varied times, student organizations will also offer healthy snack options to help promote a balanced diet. The Therapeutic Massage program will also offer scheduled sessions for individuals. Details on health screenings and massage sessions are forthcoming once the semester begins.