Members of the campus community who plan on eating dinner at one of Eastern’s four dining centers today should be prepared for a four-course meal.

Mark Hudson, director of university housing and dining services, said the progressive dinner is a good event for the spring season.

“Just to do something different, get people to move around campus more and enjoy the weather,” Hudson said.

University housing and dining services will host its second “progressive” dinner today from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Jody Horn, director of Panther Dining, said the staff tries not to plan the same special events each year, but last year’s progressive dinner received such a strong turnout they were willing to make an exception.

Members of the campus community will be able to obtain a wristband at any of the four dining centers for one meal swipe, and students who do not have a meal plan can still participate by purchasing a wristband with dining dollars or cash for the regular guest meal price of $8.50.

The wristband will gain its purchaser access to each dining center for the dinner’s duration.

Jamie Huckstead, director of Tower Dining Center, said students should feel free to start at any location.

Horn said students will have the opportunity to sample a variety of dishes.

“Some of (the items served) usually don’t appear on the menu,” Horn said.

Carman dining center will provide appetizers, Thomas will serve soups and salads, Taylor will serve entrees and sides and Tower will offer desserts.

Students will not have to make reservations to sample the desserts at the Tower Dining Center.

A few of the appetizers available include jalapeno poppers, chicken wings, cocktail wieners and chips and dip; of the many soups and salads that will be served, Horn mentioned that lobster bisque and loaded baked potato soup will be included among them.

Two of the entrees are shrimp and bourbon chicken. The mashed potato bar is expected to be popular, Horn said.

A variety of cakes and pies will be served for dessert.

Horn said that those who attend will have the opportunity to enter their name into a drawing.

“We want to make kind of a little contest,” Horn said. “If students go to Facebook and leave us a message then their name will be entered.”

Horn said that the prizes are as of yet undetermined.

For those who choose not to participate, the delis at the dining centers located on the east side of campus will still be operating.

Jason Hardimon can be reached at 581-7942

or [email protected]