MEAL PLAN FAQ's:
How to Choose and Purchase a Meal Plan
How the Meal Plan Works
Q3: How does my meal plan work?
Q4: Where can I eat with my meal plan?
Q5: May I use my friend's meal plan or let a friend use mine?
Q6: Are there guest meals?
Q7: What if I use all my meals before the end of the semester?
Q8: What happens to my unused meals at the end of the semester?
Q9: How much do meal plans cost for commuters?
About Your ID Card
Q10: What if I forget my ID card?
Q11: What happens if I lose my ID card?
How to Change Your Meal Plan
Q12: How do I change my meal plan?
When You May Use Your Meal Plan
Q13: Can I use my meal plan during holiday breaks?
Q14: Can I purchase a meal plan for intersession or summer session?
Q15: Are there any restrictions on when I may use my meals?
General Information
Q16: Do I have to have a meal plan?
Q17: Can I take food out of the dining areas?
Q18: If I need help or have any dining concerns, where can I go?
Q1: What meal plans are available, and how do I know which is best for me?
A: All students are given the option of a variety of Encore meal plans designed to fit your individual eating habits and busy academic schedule.
Meal Plan = Approximate Number of Meals Per Week
Encore 200 = 13 meals / week
Encore 150 = 10 meals / week
Encore 100 = 7 meals / week
*Encore 75 = 5 meals / week
*Encore 75 is only available to non-freshman students living in apartments
Q2: How
do I purchase a meal plan?
A: RESIDENTS (Students living on campus)
Meal plan selections are offered in the housing contract that you will complete over the summer before the academic year begins. In the fall, when you arrive on campus, you will be directed to get your university student ID card. The magnetic strip on the back of your card is used to access your meal plan account that has been credited prior to your arrival.
A: COMMUTERS (Students living off campus)
Bring your ID card to the Campus Card office located within the Bookstore, Loma Hall. Here you may pay for your plan with cash, a check, your student account, or a credit card. Your ID will be activated by Campus Card with your plan information and will now serve as your meal plan card. Commuter students may open an account anytime during the semester.
Q3: How does my meal plan work?
A: In order to use your meal plan, you must present your school issued ID card. A scanner reads your card's magnetic strip and deducts one meal from your plan (up to $5.75 equivalency) in the retail areas. The terminal will then display how many meals you have remaining for the semester. Without your card, you must pay cash.
Q4: Where can I eat with my meal plan?
A: Enjoy all-you-care-to-eat breakfast, brunch/lunch and dinner in the Main Dining Room. You can also use the cash equivalency ($5.75) of your meal plan to eat in the retail areas: La Paloma, Torero Grille, Deli, Bakery, Aromas, and two brand new locations: Bert's Bistro and MIssions Café.
Q5: May I use my friend's meal plan or let a friend use mine?
A: No, for your protection meal plans are non-transferable. The meal plan is only for the student to whom it was issued, and use by anyone else may result in a fine. Meal plans may not be resold, assigned, or transferred to someone else under any condition.
A: You may choose to purchase meals for guests with your meall plan account, but you must be present and show your ID card. You may also purchase a meal for a guest with Campus Cash in the Main Dining Room at a discounted price.
Q7: What if I use all my meals before the end of the semester?
A: If you run out of meals, you may use cash, or purchase CampusCash (at the Campus Card office or on their Web page) any time throughout the end of the academic school year in May.
Q8: What happens to my unused meals at the end of the semester?
A: There are no refunds for unused meals, and meals do not carry over from semester to semester. In order to maintain the meal plan cost, your unused meals are forfeited at the end of each semester. The prices of the meal plans take into account the missed-meal factor (since the average student may not eat a certain percentage of their meals each semester).
Q9: How much do meal plans cost for commuters?
A: The following per semester prices are good through May 2008
Encore 200: $1,370
Encore 150: $1,028
Encore 100: $685
Encore 75: $515
Room and board rates are available on the Housing Web page.
Q10: What if I forget my ID card?
A: You must present your card every time you use the dining facilities. If you forget your ID card, you may purchase a meal with cash at the guest meal rate in the Main Dining Room. Refunds are only applicable for a meal purchased in Main Dining. To obtain your refund, get a receipt at the time of purchase at the Main Dining cashier stand then bring the receipt and your ID card back to the Main Dining cashier for your refund.
Q11: What happens if I lose my ID card?
A: For your protection, if you lose your ID card you must report it within 24 hours to Campus Card Services. Contact their office by phone at (619) 260-5999, or x5999, report it in person at their office, or on their web page. If you do not report the loss of your card within 24 hours, you will be liable for any meals used and charges accrued, up until the time the card is reported missing. New ID cards can be purchased at Campus Card Services for $15.
Q12: How do I change my meal plan?
A: You may initiate meal plan changes during the first 15 class days of each semester at Campus Card Services. Their permanent location is in the Bookstore, Loma Hall. Meal plans cannot be lowered or cancelled after the 15th class day of the semester.
Q13: Can I use my meal plan during holiday breaks?
A: Meals will be available only when USD is in regular undergraduate session. No meals willl be offered during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring, or Easter breaks. The last meal of the semester is lunch on the last weekday of exams. Meals do not carry over into Intersession, or semester to semester. The first meal of each semester will begin with dinner the night before the first day of classes.
Q14: Can I purchase a meal plan for intersession or summer session?
A: You will have a meal plan account for fall semester and an account for spring semester. There are no meal plan accounts for intersession or for summer courses. You may use cash or Campus Cash for purchasing food during these times.
Q15: Are there any restrictions on when I may use my meals?
A: Our flexible Encore Meal Plans are designed for students who want the freedom to use their meals how and when they want to. There are no restrictions on how many meals you may use during a meal period or during the course of each week. You may eat as many, or as few, of your meals as you like.
Q16: Do I have to have a meal plan?
A: Residents not living in a campus apartment, and all freshmen, must have a meal plan. Any resident who does not pre-select a meal plan on their housing contract, and is not living in one of the campus apartment complexes, will be given an Encore 100 meal plan.
Q17: Can I take food out of the dining areas?
A: The Main Dining Room is an all-you-care-to-eat facility where you may enjoy your meals within the dining room, but food is not allowed to be taken out. At all of our retail locations grab and go options are plentiful.
Q18: If I need help or have any dining concerns, where can I go?
A: Management staff is always available in our campus restaurants, so don't hesitate to ask for a manager or supervisor. You may also call the Dining Services executive office at 619-260-8880, or fill out a comment card in any of our dining areas or online.
