Division of Academic and Student Affairs

 

 

 

 

 
     Division of Academic and Student Affairs 
     Campus Dining






Residential Meal Plan FAQ's

What are the benefits?

Don’t worry about cash or credit cards and save on your dining purchases whenever you use your meal plan or Pirate Bucks. Meal plans and Pirate Bucks are accepted at all Campus Dining Locations (cash, Visa, and MasterCard are also accepted). 
Meal Plan members are automatically enrolled in Jam (Please do not enroll on your own if you are on a meal plan.  Meal Plan members will recieve an e-mail from Jam by late September confirming their enrollment).

For more information visit www.jamrewards.com.

How do I use my plan?

The plan you choose allows you 19, 14 or 9 meals per week in addition to a declining cash balance account called "Pirate Bucks." Weekly meal allotments begin on Monday and end at closing on Sunday.  Meals not used by the end of the week will expire.  All residents on one of the Pirate Plus Plans must use one-half of their Pirate Bucks before the end of the semester.  All residents on one of the Pirate Plans must use all of their Pirate Bucks before the end of the semester.

Meal Zones

Meals may be used in any dining location. When dining at Todd or West End Dining Halls, one meal will be deducted from your balance. As an added bonus, meals may also be used at any of our other locations. Just let the cashier know that you would like to use a "meal" to pay for your purchase and the meal equivalency rate for that meal period will be deducted. 

What is Meal Equivalency?

Meal equivalency is the cash equivalent of a meal. If you eat lunch at one of our a la carte locations, a "meal" is worth $3.00 towards your purchase. If your purchase is over $3.00, you pay the difference with your Pirate Bucks account, cash, or Visa/MasterCard.

What are the meal zones (periods) and meal equivalency rates?

Breakfast

7:00am-10:30am

$2.00

Lunch

10:31am-3:30pm

$3.00

Dinner

3:31pm-9:00pm

$3.50

Late Night

9:01pm-close

$2.00

Brunch*

10:00am-3:30pm

$3.00

*Weekends Only

Will my Pirate Bucks rollover to the next semester?

For all on-campus residents the initial Pirate Bucks provided with the Pirate 19, 14 and 9 plans must be spent by the end of the semester.  Any amount of the initial Pirate Bucks left in the account at the end of the semester will be forfeited.  For all on-campus residents with the 19, 14, and 9 Pirate Plus plans, only half of the initial Pirate Bucks must be the spent by the end of the semester.  With the Pirate Plus plans, only half of your Pirate Bucks account funds will carry over to the next semester if not used.  For upperclassmen and transfer on-campus residents selecting the $400 Pirate Bucks account, Pirate Bucks must be spent by the end of the semester.
Additional Pirate Bucks added to any meal plan or the $400 Pirate Bucks account during the semester will carry over to the next semester.
Not 100% sure if your Pirate Bucks will rollover?  Please call (252)ECU-FOOD and we will assist you further.

What do I do if my Pirate Bucks run low?

The same thing you do if your debit card balance runs low. Simply make a deposit to your account by cash, check, money order or credit card. Go to the Campus Dining Office in Jones Residence Hall, tell them you want to replenish your Pirate Bucks and they’ll take care of you. You may also call (252) ECU-FOOD to add Pirate Bucks by phone using a credit card.  Deposits may also be made by calling or visiting the ECU Cashier’s Office.

What is Jam Rewards?
Jam is a simple program that rewards you for eating on campus.  It's that easy.  When you purchase a meal plan or spend cash at campus dining facilities or convenience stores, you'll get more chances to win sweet prizes.  All year long, we'll be running a series of instant win games and sweepstakes, and you can collect entries throughout the promotion for doing stuff you already do.  Visit www.jamrewards.com for more information.

 

Can I use financial aid to pay for my meal plan?

If you receive financial aid, you may waive payment for a Dining Plan until you receive your aid. To do so, the Office of Student Financial Aid must issue a deferment through the cashier’s office.

What if I have a question that's not answered here?

E-mail us anytime at dining@ecu.edu, visit the Campus Dining Office in Jones Residence Hall or  call us at (252) ECU-FOOD  between the hours of 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have.

Not sure what meal plan best suits your needs?
Let our Wizard guide you - Click here for assistance!