From left, Leland W. Rapport, resident district manager for Chartwells; Mark Diaz, vice president for budget and planning; Thomas J. LeBlanc, executive vice president and provost; Sebastian the Ibis; UM junior Bhumi Patel, executive-at-large external for UM Student Government; President Donna E. Shalala; Vice President for Student Affairs Pat Whitely; Joe Natoli, senior vice president for business and finance and chief financial officer; Sandra Redway, executive director of auxiliary services; and Al Matthews, associate vice president for finance.

Bhumi Patel, a University of Miami junior with a sweet tooth for frozen yogurt, took a spoonful of the creamy creation from one of the free samples being served up last Wednesday on the UM campus and delighted in its flavor.

While Patel’s taste buds were undoubtedly satisfied, it was the fact that a place from which to buy frozen yogurt now exists on campus that made her more content.

At an August 22 ribbon-cutting ceremony that welcomed the arrival of its newest dining option, UM dedicated the new Red Mango frozen yogurt cart, a booth-style establishment at the UM food court that sells the tasty treat as well as parfaits in a variety of flavors, with toppings ranging from fruits and nuts to chocolate.

Bhumi Patel treats Sebastian to a spoonful of frozen yogurt at the Red Mango ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“Frozen yogurt is popular with students,” said Patel, the executive-at-large external for UM Student Government, which approached Dining Services with the idea of bringing such a dining option to campus. “Based on student surveys, we knew this was something that was needed. Now students won’t always have to travel off campus for it.”

With UM President Donna E. Shalala, Provost Thomas J. LeBlanc, Executive Director of Auxiliary Services Sandra Redway, and other top UM administrators in attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Patel said she is happy with Dining Services’ decision to bring in Red Mango, a company with more than 190 locations nationwide and Zagat No. 1 ratings in the categories of “Best Smoothie/Frozen Yogurt” and “Top Healthy Options within the Quick Refreshments Chains.”

The freestanding Red Mango cart is temporary. A permanent location will be housed in the new Student Activities Center, which is scheduled for completion in 2013.

Red Mango is open Monday through Friday from 12 to 10 p.m.