Dining with the University of Rochester

Girl Thinking
Meal Plan FAQs
Question What about commuter dining options?
Answer

Commuter students may choose any one of the dining options offered and are required to participate in at least the Commuter Declining Balance Plan ($450 per semester).

Question As a student who chooses to join a fraternity that offers meals, am I still required to participate in a Meal Plan Membership?
Answer

Students who pledge a fraternity and elect to purchase either a full or a partial fraternity meal plan still have a declining balance requirement to fulfill. Please see your fraternity leadership for details.

Question How may I purchase a dining plan?
Answer

Students living on campus are provided with the dining services agreement by mail. Students living off-campus can pick up a dining agreement at the Customer Service/ ID Office located in the Susan B. Anthony Hall or request one by mail by calling (585) 275-3975.

Question Am I able to add to my Declining Balance?
Answer

Yes. Members are able to add to their Declining Balance throughout the year and furthermore, all additional deposits include state sales tax-exempt status. Plan deposits can be made at the Customer Service/ ID Office located in the Susan B. Anthony Hall, using cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Deposits may also be made on the web at http://my.rochester.edu.

Question What if I have Declining Balance Dollars or Club Meals leftover?
Answer

At the close of the first semester, Declining Balances carry forward to the second semester. Declining Balance funds are not refundable at the end of the first semester to students who are not returning for the consecutive second semester; nor are they refundable at the end of the academic year. The number of Club Meals is assigned per semester and does not carry over from fall to spring.

Question How do I use my dining plan?
Answer

Your University Identification Card is your dining One Card, your key to the campus. Every student receives one. Since the only access to your account is via your University ID card, it is mandatory that you present your card to the cashier each time you make a purchase with your account. Make sure to tell the cashier whether you'll be using a club meal or declining balance funds. If you do not have your ID card with you at the cash register, alternative payment will be required.

Question What is a Club Meal Combination?
Answer

Club Meal Combinations are a variety of specified menu items at a dining location, that is not an all-you-care-to-eat restaurant, that, when combined, will constitute a full meal. Club Meal Plan members will be able to use unlimited Club Meals per day to purchase Club Meal Combinations. Club Meal Combinations are available at Hillside Cafe, Wilson Commons "The Pit", Douglass Dining Center, The Orchestra Pit and The Backstage Coffeehouse.

Question What if I do not wish to purchase a Club Meal Combination when not eating at an all-you-care-to-eat restaurant?
Answer

Each Club Meal Plan comes with a limited amount of Declining Balance Dollars. Your Declining Balance Dollars can be used to purchase any of the retail dining menu items.

Question What if I'm sick and can't make it to a dining location?
Answer

Residential Life will provide a written note asking Dining Services to allow a friend of the student to use their ID to get food. This note will allow friends to obtain food/liquids from the River Campus and Eastman dining centers or the House of Six Nations in Strong Memorial Hospital.

Question May I use my meal plan at the Eastman School of Music and River Campus dining locations?
Answer

Yes. The Eastman and River Campus students are on similar meal plans and your meal plans are accepted at both locations and are subject to the rules of use at those locations.

Question What if I lose my ID card?
Answer

If your card is lost or stolen, report it immediately to the Customer Service/ ID Office at x5-3975. If the loss occurs during hours that the Customer Service/ ID Office is closed, you should call Security at x5-3333 and request that they suspend your account. You may also deactivate your card on the web at http://my.rochester.edu. There is a fee to replace your card.

Question May I bring a friend to eat with me?
Answer

Yes. Club Meals and declining balance may be used to pay for your guests.

Question What about my special diet needs?
Answer

With the wide variety of menu items and so many location choices, most students find they don't have to make any special arrangements. If you find this is not the case, see a dining center location manager or call our Guest Services Manager, David Feist, at x5-6265.

Question Can I change my meal plan?
Answer

Fall and spring meal plan changes and cancellations are permitted only during the designated change periods. The Modification period for the fall semester begins the second week of classes on 09/08/08 and ends on 09/20/08. The Open Modification period for the spring semester will be for seven days following fall break from 10/13/08 - 10/18/08. The Late Modification period for spring semester meal plan changes will be during the first full week of classes in January from 01/19/09 - 01/24/09. A $25 late fee is charged for any plan-level decrease or cancellation that is requested except during the October open modification period.