Dining Services: Meal Plan Policy

There are three meal plan options offered to students based on their class standing. The meal plans offered are full board (19 meals per week), 14 meals per week, and 10 meals per week. All students living in College housing must purchase a College meal plan.

The following is the breakdown of class credits for each meal plan option:

  • Freshman             0-28 hours             19 meal plan only
  • Sophomore             29-58 hours             14 or 19 meal plan
  • Junior             59-93 hours             10, 14, or 19 meal plan
  • Senior              94 + hours             10, 14, or 19 meal plan

Note: Students who live in units with kitchens may purchase the 10-meal plan regardless of class standing.

Students on any meal plan have an additional $50.00 in “Bonus Bucks” added to their meal plans each semester. These Bonus dollars can be used at Pearsons Dining Hall, Isaac’s Cafe, and the Highland Grounds Coffee Shop. Students who would like to place additional funds on their card for convenience may do so in the form of “Gold Card Dollars.” The “Gold” account is a debit account that can be used for purchases in all three dining locations. Gold card use at Margaret Ware Dining Room located in Pearsons Hall is also discounted up to 20% vs. the normal guest rate paid at the door. Bonus and Gold dollars do not roll over from semester to semester.

For logistical reasons, students who are applying to change their meal plans for next semester can project how many hours they will have at the end of the spring semester and assume they will receive all the needed credits. However, this total will be checked for accuracy and if the proper class standing is not obtained, they will be removed from a plan for which they do not qualify.

Any change in meal plans must be made prior to the first day of the second week of classes. However, students always have the option of increasing their meal plan at any point in the semester.

Students who feel they have special circumstances that do not allow them to participate in the meal plan allocated to them may submit an appeal form with the Administrative Services Office to hear their case. Administrative Services will approve, request more information, or deny the request.