On Tuesday, registration opened on CampusGroups for students to have group meals with President Safa Zaki. Nine dates with 13 spots in each time slot were offered, and students jumped at the chance to take advantage of a meal with the new president. As of Thursday evening, 86 students were registered with 31 spots remaining.

“I hope [students] take advantage of it. It’s a great way to get to know Safa and to learn a little bit more about how the College works, about how the president sees herself and her leadership,” Senior Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs Jennifer Scanlon said. “This is a great thing for students, but it’s also a great way to help her learn more about this place.”

The first meal is scheduled for Tuesday, September 26 and will take place in the President’s Dining Room in Thorne Dining Hall. The event’s CampusGroups entry describes the lunches as having “no set agenda, just a chance to get together with one another and talk over a meal.”

“[President Zaki] is very eager to be part of the community,” Scanlon said. “And for her, being part of the community is establishing personal relationships, learning more about who people are and why they’re here and what drives them.”

Interested students can register for remaining seats at the lunches, which are scheduled through December 8, on CampusGroups.