The services of the Prebisch Center and the Herrera Center feed students from more than ten faculties of the National University of Tucumán. In addition to offering dishes at an affordable price, the dining rooms now schedule cultural and recreational activities.
It’s Wednesday and there is a lot of movement in the dining room of the Faculty of Architecture. Yes, the boys swallow the portions with which they will fight the harsh autumn and the academic demands, but, they also play to catch the frog and relax. The number of hungry and thirsty young people who line up to enter the facilities is impressive. The cheap food is an undoubted attraction, but so are the relaxed atmosphere and the possibility of enjoying activities that fill the spirit.
The dining rooms of the National University of Tucumán (UNT) are not satisfied with feeding the body: they also want to be centers of socialization and culture. With the aim of enriching the experience, the services of the Prebisch Center (Benjamín Aráoz Avenue 800) and the Herrera Center (Roca Avenue 1,800) now carry out recreational activities dedicated to the hundreds of students who pass through there every day. It is not the only adaptation: the menus offer options for vegetarians, vegans and celiacs.
Of course, the students are delighted with the initiative. “The idea is to contribute so that students always have a plate of food and a space for containment. We offer the kids some music, heating and a well-priced menu to relieve their study day a little. We make a great effort financially, but their response has always been very positive,” he explains. Ariel Santillan, director of the UNT dining halls. The cultural imprint of the dining rooms has the impulse to Gustavo VitulliSecretary of University Welfare.
The Herrera Center headquarters was inaugurated in August 2022, and is located in the heart of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning. In addition to serving students from that institution, it receives students from the faculties of Biochemistry, Exact Sciences, Law, Economic Sciences and Agronomy. For its part, the Prebisch Center dining room began operating in 2015, and provides services to students from the faculties of Philosophy and Letters, Psychology, Dentistry and Physical Education. According to Santillán, between both locations they ship around 400 menus daily. A subsidy from the Rectorate helps maintain the low cost of meals.
From 8 to 11 in the morning, students can have a coffee with milk, tea or a cooked mate with two tortillas for breakfast at a price of $600. From 12 to 2:30 p.m., lunches of the day are offered, which They usually vary between pastas, stews, hamburgers and pizzas. The promotion includes bread and a glass of juice, and has a value of $1,000. In addition, there are special options for vegetarians, vegans and celiacs. Those who do not wish to eat the fixed offer can opt for an alternative from the menu.
“We eat here when we have to stay because most of us live far away,” he says. Lazaro David Diaz, Biochemistry student, while enjoying breakfast with his classmates. “It is very good for us to be able to rest a little between classes. It also helps you warm up and review before taking an exam. The food is delicious and the prices are very good,” he adds. Marcos Jerez, student of the same faculty. Along with this group of friends, some take advantage of the place’s heating and play cards. Others unfold their notebooks and review their notes while sipping a coffee.
REST. Students take advantage of the space to eat something, study and relax a little. / Photo: Analía Jaramillo
Around 1:00 p.m., the Prebisch Center dining room looks almost full. Among the dozens of students who approached was Guadalupe Zakhour, who decided to cross from the Faculty of Physical Education to Filo to have lentil stew for lunch, the menu of the day. Guadalupe is 22 years old and maintains that she must spend about 12 hours a day pursuing her degree. “Breakfast, lunch and snacks at the faculty. Just as I don’t have time to cook for myself, I also don’t have enough money to spend more than $4,000 on food per day. There are many of us who cross paths to eat here. You eat it like at home and for a very good price,” she details.
One idea changes everything
With the aim of breaking up the week a little, every other Wednesday the cafeterias organize recreational contests or devote themselves to music. Foosball, darts and frog tournaments are scheduled; karaoke; gymnastics samples; folklore clubs and birthday celebrations at both venues. The prize is a good incentive to participate. “The student who wins the tournaments gets a week of free lunch. Imagine, they kill each other,” he jokes. Nahuel Billónone of the employees of the Centro Herrera dining room.
In addition to the aforementioned activities, Wednesdays are usually accompanied by themed menus. There are days of Italian food (pastas), Mexican (tacos) and Argentinian (milanesa sandwiches), as well as special days of hamburgers and pizzas. According to the organizers, the theme Wednesdays are a success. “It’s a special day because it’s when most kids go. It helps decompress the monotony of the week with something different that distracts, excites and unites. We started testing and we had a great response: now everyone asks us and asks us what activity there is going to be next week,” says Santillán.
EXIT. Hundreds of students line up to have lunch on the themed Wednesday daily menu. On this occasion, the students enjoyed a hamburger with fries at a price of only $1,000. / Photo: Analía Jaramillo.
And as the public demands it, it is very likely that the recreation and culture agenda will grow in the future. “I always try to remember my experiences as a student and think about what things I couldn’t have to offer to today’s university students. Little by little we want to add little things: the installation of a defibrillator in both dining rooms; a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) course for students and teachers; cooking workshops… I think that an idea changes everything and every day I ask myself what is that idea that is escaping me,” meditates Santillán.
How to take advantage of the benefit
To access the gastronomic and cultural proposals of the dining halls, students must prove that they are students of a UNT degree. You must present proof of regular student status (or proof of registration for entrants), a photocopy of your DNI (front and back) and a 4×4 photo ID.
In addition, starting this year, teachers and non-teachers can also benefit from discounts. To do this, they must present a salary slip and a photocopy of their ID and with this they will have access to lunch for a price of $2,000.
In all cases, the procedure is personal and free, and is carried out in person at any of the dining rooms. The card is valid for one year and can be used both at the Centro Herrera headquarters and at the Prebisch Center.
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