Daniella Tebib
News Editor
Breanna Harris
Contributing Writer
Chick-fil-A celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 25 welcoming students, faculty, staff and the public.
President Bob Jackson said the Murray community has long awaited the arrival of Chick-fil-A on campus.
“We are appreciative of everyone’s patience as final preparations are made by those who are leading this project, as many necessary steps are involved, particularly in working with a national brand,” Jackson said. “This is an exciting time at Murray State, and the addition of Chick-fil-A will grow our campus dining options tremendously.”
Shawn Touney, director of communication, said specific visitor spaces that do not require parking permits or registration are available for members of the Murray community in the Curris Center parking lot.
Students on the All Access Meal Plan can use one meal exchange per day between 3 and 8 p.m. Students on the All Access Premium Meal Plan are also allowed one meal exchange per day anytime after 1 p.m.
The meal exchange consists of a regular Chick-fil-A sandwich or eight nuggets with a medium waffle fries and medium soft drink.
Students on other meal plans can use Flex Dollars to make purchases. Faculty and staff can also use their Dining Dollars. Cash, major credit cards, Google Wallet and Apple Pay are all also accepted. However, Chick-fil-A gift cards are not accepted.
Many students were excited about the grand opening, with some even showing up an hour before doors officially opened.
“I am glad there is finally a Chick-fil-A in Murray because it’s more accessible and convenient because we can use our flex so it makes it so much better,’’ Allison Rowe, junior from Paducah, Kentucky, said.
Some students said they are excited they will no longer have to make the drive to Paducah for Chick-fil-A.
“I am so excited, especially since there is something different to go to on campus and now I don’t have to drive from Murray to Paducah anymore to get it,” Janae Pembrook Ward, junior from St. Louis, Missouri, said.
Despite the excitement from some students, the LGBT+ community on campus has vocalized their concerns with the opening of Chick-fil-A. The restaurant has donated to multiple groups who have expressed anti-LGBT+ sentiments in the past.
Kearby Stiles, president of Alliance, said he feels like the decision wasn’t a statement against the LGBT+ community. However, he still plans on boycotting the restaurant.
Robert Scott, alumnus from Paris, Tennessee, said he doesn’t view Chick-fil-A as a positive thing coming to campus as it promotes discrimination.
“It isn’t very exciting for LGBT+ students and alumni for Murray State to allow a business on campus that has actively discriminated against the LGBT+ community and donated to organizations that promote conversion ‘therapy,’” Scott said.
However, Jackson said the University administration did not bring Chick-fil-A to campus with the intention of offending anyone.
“I’m always sensitive to any issues like that, and from what I’ve heard, there is an overwhelming majority of students who are excited and looking forward to Chick-fil-A,” Jackson said. “I don’t want anyone to have any angst or concerns about anything we do on campus. What Murray State University is trying to do is provide the best products we can provide for our students, faculty and staff. The reason these particular national brands are coming to campus is because that’s what students identified they wanted.”
In addition to the arrival of Chick-fil-A and Einstein Bros. Bagels, students can expect to see Starbucks and Steak ‘n Shake on campus.
Chick-fil-A will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
