Latte, chai, macchiato, frappuccino. If you know what these are, you probably go regularly to some type of coffee shop. And if you frequent Skyline’s cafeteria, then you probably noticed our old coffee hut has been replaced.

Skyline College is no stranger to renovations. In the past few years we’ve seen new buildings, renovated structures, a new quad, and even a water fountain and fireplace. And now we have a coffee shop that serves Starbucks coffee.

For the past few years, the space next to the cafeteria has been unused. It was revealed last semester however that there were plans to make a new coffee shop in said location. The start of the spring semester marked its official opening, and it seems that a majority of students welcome its presence.

Skyline student Chase Sandal thinks that its very existence gives the school as a whole a new, better look.

“I actually like it; it looks really nice,” Sandal said. “It looks modern, and it feels different. The atmosphere feels a little more professional, a little more adult. It shows that we’re trying to move forward and not just stay the same.”

Sandal went on to say that although he didn’t know whether this would make a big difference in the long run, he does feel that if the school continued with these kinds of changes it would ultimately be beneficial.

However, some students think that the old coffee hut was fine and that Skyline didn’t need to spend money replacing it.

Other students, such as chemistry major Julia Kyaw, like the idea of having this particular coffee shop in the cafeteria because it provides a product they desire.

“I like it because before they didn’t have Starbucks in Skyline College,” Kyaw said. “San Mateo had it when I went there.”

One of the main reasons that students look upon the new coffee shop favorably is its new location, due to the fact that there are now high tables in the space the old coffee hut used to occupy.

“The new place is better because more people can sit in the cafeteria,” said Kyaw, who believes that the ability to study, use a laptop, and eat in one location is an invaluable asset. “Before it was a waste of space.”

“Right now it’s more convenient,” Kyaw continued. “We can study in the cafeteria and eat, which you can’t do in the learning center.”

Even students newer to Skyline feel that the cafeteria’s newest addition is beneficial and useful.  First-semester Skyline student Julian Andrews, a business major, thinks that its location combined with its product is something that will help the school.

“It’s good for the school because it will make [students] want to spend their money; a lot of [students] drink coffee,” Andrews said. “[It’s] very beneficial because it’s right next to the [cafeteria]. It’s pretty much a win-win situation. Whatever brings in profit; Starbucks coffee always brings in profit.”

With the new coffee shop officially open, students can more easily get coffee and find a place to sit during lunch. Whether this change is worth its cost has yet to be seen, but for now, some Skyline students feel that it’s exactly what the students needed.

Or as Julian Andrews put it: “Whatever peps you up for that next test.”