As students pack up their belongings, say goodbye to their roommates and head home for the summer, they can look back on a year of improvements.

Students welcomed a new mascot this year, as the school changed from the Quinnipiac Braves to the Bobcats, and a new logo was printed on Quinnipiac paraphernalia. Bobcat prints were painted on the speed bumps of dorm road, which is now being renamed ‘Bobcat Alley,’ and according to Jack McDonald, athletics director,

“Many other Quinnipiac landmarks could be changed to a Bobcat theme.” For example, McDonald said the Ratt will be changing its name.

Students shared opinions about the changes. “I think it’s cool that we actually have an animal [for a mascot] this time instead of just a name,” said Denise Fioretti, freshman. “But, I don’t think we should change things such as dorm road and the Ratt, which are known to students, all because we have a new mascot. That’s more personal with the students.”

“The new mascot seems okay because I never knew what the other one was like,” said Darrin Rosenberg, freshman.

The yearbook also experienced alterations as it was renamed “The Summit.”

“We wanted to come up with a name that both reflected the Quinnipiac community and what the yearbook staff attempted to achieve through our yearly project and publication,” Lauren O’Leary, editor in chief told The Chronicle earlier.

O’Leary said the meaning behind the name was basically to insinuate that the Quinnipiac community is comprised of only the best; those who reach “the summit.”

The Cafe Q had a complete renovation and Chartwells Dining Services has undergone many changes this past year.

“The servery was redesigned to create a more open servery and to provide new menu selections to match its modern, sophisticated facility,” said Leean Spalding, associate director of dining services.

According to Spalding, the Cafe Q now featuresTten stations including Sandwich Central, Garden Emporium, Center of Refreshment, Ritazza Coffee Bar, Outtakes,Au Bon Pain Soup, Fresh Grille, Trattoria, Market Carvery and Culinary Table.

Spalding said the Garden Emporium is an extensive fresh salad bar, which includes entree salads.

The Au Bon Pain Soup baroffers three soup selections daily. The center of Refreshment features premium Ritazza Coffee and a wide selection of Pepsi beverages.

Outtakes offers convenience. Here you can find grab and go sandwich, wraps, salads, fresh baked cookies and cakes.

The Fresh Grille offers a full menu of freshly grilled, fried or charbroiled items cooked to order. Sandwich Central is a New York style deli. The Culinary Table features marche cooking and the Market Carvery offers rotisserie meats and bistro style comfort foods and the Trattoria features brick oven pizza, stuffed breads, pasta and foccacia areTfeatured daily.

The Rathskellar has also undergone changes this year. The Sandella Wrap and Noodle Bowl program was introduced in the spring and the deli was modified to include a hot deli case.

The student also enjoyed many exciting culinary events such as Pasta Plus and Deep Freeze.

The Fitness Center and Recreation Center have undergone tremendous changes during the past year and a half.

According to Linda Wooster, the associate director of Athletics/recreation and fitness center director, a new multi-purpose room, “cardio corners,” suspended track, and new reception desk, entry and lobby have been added to the expanded and renovated fitness center.

This year, “the Fitness Center floor was replaced; mirrors and additional television sets were added. Six new elliptical cross-trainers were added to the Center. Most of the other cardio equipment was moved upstairs to the new “Cardio Corners” of the track,” Wooster said.

“The new entry way to the Recreation Center features a lobby and central access area through which all users and visitors can access the Fitness Center, Recreation Center and Track by using their validated QU ID,” Wooster said. “Student staff members are stationed at the Reception Desk to respond to questions, schedule cardio equipment usage, and to sign out recreation equipment.”

Various organizations sponsored activities such as the Dragon Fest, International Food Festival, Greek Week, and “The Vagina Monologues.”

In December, fans of 112 gathered in the gym for their concert, and during May Weekend, Guster performed on campus.

It has been a busy year for students, and the improvements and activities have been positive. “Quinnipiac just keeps getting better,” said Shenie Patterson, junior.