The Grille, Peddie’s snack bar and student hangout area next to the dining hall, is now open during study hall to select upperclassmen. The idea was first introduced to the student body in early January as one of the Faculty Student Senate’s in-progress initiatives. It was officially announced in a February 4 email from Student Body Co-President Julisa Lugo ’26 on behalf of the Senate.
In her email, Lugo referred to the Grille initiative as a “pilot program” that aims to give upperclassmen a “relaxed, student-run space to study, collaborate, and unwind responsibly during study hall.” This privilege is reserved for seniors and members of the junior class who are prefects, both day students and boarders. There are currently no concrete plans to expand access, although according to Lugo, one Senate faculty member suggested opening the space to juniors in May. “I plan to raise this idea at the next FSS meeting since we think it’s a great suggestion, but nothing has been decided yet,” Lugo explained in a statement to The Peddie News. “One goal of this pilot is to provide a foundation for next year’s student council to potentially expand or continue the initiative.”
The Grille is open on Blue Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and Gold Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Two senior prefects will be on duty in the space each night to monitor attendance, volume level, neatness and ensure students check in to The Grille via the Reach app. One “on-call” prefect is tasked with confirming their arrival. Prefects must sign up for shifts in The Grille at least twice per term.
The initiative is largely student-run and built on trust in prefects and upperclassmen to maintain and behave appropriately in the space. “There is no faculty member stationed in The Grille during these hours,” Lugo stated. “Students are instructed to contact the Administrator on Duty or Security if an issue arises that requires adult involvement.” Additionally, the Senate has outlined expectations for usage of The Grille in a document available to the student body. Prefects may ask students to leave should they fail to comply with the guidelines.
Senior Kaye North Prefect Bryan Cheng ’26 was one of two prefects on duty on February 4, The Grille’s opening night as a study hall space. Cheng shared his thoughts on the new initiative: “I think opening up The Grille at study hall is a great call. It’s such a good space for study groups, and honestly, it can be a nice cozy vibe when quiet. Hopefully it stays open for the future of Peddie,” he said.
Attendance in the first couple of days has been low. On February 4, two students came to The Grille. Two days later, on-duty prefects closed the space 15 minutes early due to no attendance. However, these were only the first two days of the “pilot” stage, so low participation is not out of the ordinary. Additionally, winter weather has been extremely cold — temperatures often dropping to below freezing in the evenings — and senior day students may choose to go home before 8:00 p.m., both of which are potential explanations for low turnout.
Lugo mentioned that one goal of opening The Grille during study hall is to “encourage day students to stay on campus after school and help bridge the gap between day students and boarders.” With finals and spring term steadily approaching, perhaps nicer weather and adjustment to the new opportunity will bring more students to The Grille on school nights.
“Ultimately, we hope this initiative fosters a stronger sense of community while giving students more choice in how and where they study to support their learning and well-being,” she said.