Dining Membership Advantages There are lots of privileges you will be able to enjoy if you sign up for a dining plan... The security of guaranteed meals or the flexibility of a la carte dining. You never have to worry about cooking or doing the dishes. Lots of great food choices. And of course, you'll save money! How Dining Plans Work Dining plans are geared specifically to make your life simpler! A magnetic stripe on the back of your student ID card works with our computer system to identify you as a dining plan member. Our dining plans are easy, economical and designed to meet the needs of your busy campus lifestyle. The dining plan costs include an enrollment fee that covers basic costs such as rent, utilities, dining room staff salaries and fringes and other expenses associated with providing a full dining room operation and the Ranger Card administrative fee. The remaining money is added to your Ranger Card account to be spent at any of the dining locations on campus. Dining dollars work on the same principle as bank debit cards. Each time you make a food purchase, the total cost of your meal is subtracted from the dollar balance in your account. As a dining plan member, you are entitled to a 50 percent discount from regular prices at the Parkside Café. In addition, you do not pay sales tax on your purchases.