University of San Diego - Parent Handbook

Student Life

Dining Services

A culinary vision has been developed for USD Dining Services. It is based on flavors that engulf the senses, fresh and seasonal ingredients, global cuisine and healthy options. We look forward to having you ‘break bread with us’ during the coming year.

Meal Plans Dining Services supports the philosophy that living and learning are integrated, not separate, and that formal teaching, informal learning, and personal support in residences are integral to your education. Meals play a key role in this mission of community building, leading and learning. Therefore freshman residents are required to participate in a Meal Plan. Meal plan questions should be directed to Campus Card Services: (619) 260-5999 or ext. 5999.

From breakfast to lunch, dinner and brunch, we offer hundreds of meals each semester. Add in late night snacks and meals on the go, and having a Meal Plan will allow you great flexibility and the convenience of dining at a variety of unique locations right on campus.

Quality Menus for Your Dietary Needs We offer quality fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products delivered fresh each morning. We strive to increase our sustainable practices each year, and we currently offer many items made from scratch, a growing number of vegetarian and vegan options, fair trade coffees, organic and local produce, and foods that are cooked trans-fat free.

What Meal Plans are available?

All students are given a variety of Meal Plan options designed to fit individual eating habits and every busy academic schedule.

Torero Meal Plans

FALL 2011 - SPRING 2012

MEAL PLAN OPTIONS FOR FRESHMEN
PLAN	PER SEMESTER	AVERAGE PER WEEK	DINING DOLLARS	COST PER SEMESTER
Plus 135	135	9	$970.10	Best Value! $2,096
Plus 120	120	8	$872	$1,886
Plus 105	105	7	$670.10	$1,571
MEAL PLAN OPTIONS FOR NON-FRESHMEN
Plus 135	135	9	$970.10	Best Value! $2,096
Plus 120	120	8	$872	$1,886
Plus 105	105	7	$670.10	$1,571
Plus 75	75	5	$527.25	$1,179
Plus 50	50	3-4	$346.50	$786
Plus 25	25	1-2	$261	$483
Plan 20	20	1+	-	$200

Freshman Meal Plan Requirement:

Freshmen must choose one of the following plans: Plus 105, Plus 120, or Plus 135.

Per your Housing and Dining Contract, if you are a freshman you are required to have a Meal Plan. If you do not choose a plan when signing up online for room and board you will be assigned, and required to pay for, the Plus 105.

How do I select and purchase a Meal Plan?

You may select the plan of your choice online via the MySanDiego portal (look for the "My Meal Plan" channel within the Student Life, Graduate Life, and My Personal Info tabs).
All students may purchase any of the following Torero Meal Plans:
- Plus 105, Plus 120, or Plus 135.

Non-freshmen: if student is not a freshman, they may also choose from any of the following: Plan 20, Plus 25, Plus 50, Plus 75 or they may elect not to have a meal plan.
Freshmen: if student is a resident freshman, they are required to purchase the Plus 105, Plus 120 or Plus 135 Meal Plan.

Freshman Policies:

For fall 2011 entrance freshmen must purchase a plan on or before July 1, 2011.

If a freshman submits an application to become a student after July 1 then that student must purchase a Meal Plan before the first day of classes for the fall 2011 semester.
If a freshman's first semester on campus is spring 2012, they must purchase a plan by the first day of classes of the spring 2012 semester.
If you have been assigned the Plus 105 you may increase your plan to the Plus 120 or Plus 135.
Your Meal Plan account will be credited prior to your arrival on campus for the fall semester.

Info for New Students:

Once you are accepted to the university and have received your Torero ID #, you may select your Meal Plan online via MySanDiego portal.
During 'Torero Days' orientation, new students will receive their Torero ID card when they check in to their residence hall. Commuters may pick up their card at Campus Card Services, University Center 127.
Your Torero ID card will also serve as your Meal Plan card and will be swiped accordingly at the register each time you pay with your plan.

How does my Meal Plan work?

In order to use your Meal Plan, you must present your Torero (ID) Card. A scanner reads your card's magnetic strip and deducts one meal from your plan. The terminal will then display how many meals you have remaining for the semester.

Without your card, you must use another form of payment (cash, Visa or MasterCard).

Where may I dine with my Meal Plan?

Meal Plan 'meals' may only be used at Pavilion Dining for "unlimited access" brunch (Saturday & Sunday) and dinner (Monday-Sunday).

You may also use Dining Dollars, CampusCash, cash, Visa or MasterCard to pay for entrance to dinner and brunch at the rate of $12.60. Keep in mind, when paying with a 'meal' you could be saving over $4 on this price. (For example, the Plus 135 Meal Plan rate is $8.34 per meal.)

A la carte prices will apply for breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday in Pavilion Dining. You may use Dining Dollars, CampusCash, cash, Visa or MasterCard to pay for a la carte items.

Pavilion Dining (Student Life Pavilion) - Home to 12 unique culinary concepts that fuse distinct ingredients and flavors to provide you with eclectic and evolving menus. Enjoy great savings and delicious cuisine in a comfortable setting designed to enhance community. We will bring the excitement of the kitchen to you. Your dining experience will include meals prepared exhibition style by our Culinary Institute of America certified chefs.

Other Campus Locations:

Choose from an array of enticing menus. Whether it is early morning or late at night, a campus dining location is open to serve you. All locations have indoor and outdoor seating and WiFi.

For dining in most retail locations you may use Dining Dollars, CampusCash, cash, Visa or MasterCard.
Current hours of operation schedules are posted online.

How may I use my Dining Dollars?

Dining Dollars work just like cash and can be used at a variety of campus retail locations: Aromas, Bert's Bistro, L'atelier*, La Paloma, Missions Cafe, Pavilion Dining and La Gran Terraza.
Unlike meals, unused Dining Dollars will roll over from the fall semester to the spring semester.
Dining Dollars expire at the end of the spring semester on the last day of undergraduate finals.
Students not participating in a meal plan in the spring semester will forfeit all remaining fall Dining Dollars at the conclusion of the fall semester and/or as soon as they cancel their Meal Plan.

*Exclusions: Dining Dollars may not be used for (grocery and retail) purchases in Tu Mercado, but may be used for food at L'atelier (located within Tu Mercado). Dining Dollars may not be used for alcohol (beer/wine) purchases in La Gran Terraza.

Can I convert unused meals or Dining Dollars to CampusCash?

No. Unused meals and Dining Dollars may not be converted to CampusCash (or cash or a credit) at any time.

The last day for non-freshmen to cancel or decrease a plan is: (fall semester) 9/16/11, (spring semester) 2/10/12. Freshmen may not reduce or cancel a plan at any time.

How may I use my CampusCash?

CampusCash is similar to a debit card. Money can be put on your CampusCash account online at campuscash.sandiego.edu where you can even set up a guest account so a parent can make a deposit, in person at the Campus Card Services office, or at the cash terminal on campus in Olin Hall.

CampusCash, may be used in any dining location on campus and several off-campus retailers too. It is also accepted at Tu Mercado, Concessions, USD Torero Store, the Health Center and more. CampusCash will roll over from semester to semester.
CampusCash is non-refundable. The only exception is if you are graduating, or withdrawing, from the university. Your CampusCash will then expire 90 days after your graduation, or withdrawal, date. If you have a balance in your account you will need to go to the Campus Card office to request a refund within the 90-day time frame.
For additional terms please visit the CampusCash site.

What if I use all my meals before the end of the semester?

If you run out of meals, you may purchase a new Meal Plan, use cash, or purchase CampusCash or Dining Dollars any time throughout the year.

Add a Meal Plan and/or Dining Dollars to your card via the MySanDiego portal.
Add CampusCash to your card at any time via the CampusCash site.

What happens to my unused meals at the end of the semester?

There are no refunds for unused meals, and meals do not carry over from semester to semester. In order to maintain the low Meal Plan cost, your unused meals are forfeited at the end of each semester. (Forecasted unused meals are factored into the original cost of the Meal Plan). USD Dining Services has the lowest Meal Plan rates out of the majority of the university's peer schools.

May I use my friend's Meal Plan or let a friend use mine?

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 anyone else under any condition.

Are there guest meals?

You may choose to purchase meals for guests with your Meal Plan account, but you must be present and swipe your Torero ID Card.

How do I change my Meal Plan?

Policies for Freshmen

Freshmen may not reduce or cancel their Meal Plan at any time.
Once a plan is selected for the 2011-12 year that will be your plan for the fall and spring semesters.

You will be automatically assigned the same Meal Plan that you have in the fall for the spring semester.

All students may increase their Meal Plan at any time during the semester.
Dining Dollars and CampusCash may be purchased at any time during the semester.
To increase a Meal Plan, or add Dining Dollars, you may do so online via the MySanDiego portal.
Resident freshmen who wish to petition for room only, and not have a Meal Plan, may do so by completing a petition form. Please know that no changes will be made without a petition form, no exceptions. Reasons for petitioning include: dietary restrictions, religious beliefs or extreme financial hardships. Form should be submitted to the Director of Dining Services before the start of the semester or as is applicable to the situation.

Policies for Non-freshmen:

Increasing/Purchasing a Meal Plan

Once a plan is selected for the 2011-12 year, that will be your plan for the fall and spring semesters. You will be automatically assigned the same Meal Plan that you have in the fall, for the spring semester, unless you select to make a change via MySanDiego portal.
Students may increase their Meal Plan at any time during the semester.
Dining Dollars and CampusCash may be purchased at any time during the semester.
Students who do not currently have a Meal Plan may purchase a plan at any time during the semester.

To increase or purchase a Meal Plan you may do so online via the MySanDiego portal.

Changes

All Meal Plan changes must be made online via the MySanDiego portal.

Refunds/Cancellations

Non-freshmen may decrease or cancel a plan during the first two weeks of the semester. After that time frame there will be no changes or cancellations allowed.

Last day for non-freshmen to cancel or decrease a plan:

Fall semester deadline: 9/16/11
Spring semester deadline: 2/10/12

Through the date of the meal plan change deadline (9/16/11 fall, 2/10/12 spring), if you have not used any of your meal plan (i.e. you have not used any meals and you have not used any Dining Dollars) you will receive a 100% refund.

Note: Any fall semester Dining Dollars that were rolled over to the spring semester are non-refundable if you cancel your spring Meal Plan.

Through the date of the meal plan change deadline (9/16/11 fall, 2/10/12 spring), If you have used some of your plan (i.e. you have used any meals or any Dining Dollars) you will receive a partial refund for the meals and/or Dining Dollars you have not used or spent.

Note: Any fall semester Dining Dollars that were rolled over to the spring semester are non-refundable if you cancel your spring Meal Plan.

When are my Meal Plans active? Can I use my Meal Plan during holiday breaks?

Meal Plans will be available when USD is in regular undergraduate session for the fall and spring semesters.

The first meal of each semester, and following vacation breaks, will begin with dinner the night before the first day of undergraduate classes (8/30/11 for fall and 1/25/12 for spring).

Law School Students: Your meals will begin on the first day of Law School classes each semester.

The last meal of each semester, and preceding vacation breaks, will be brunch on the last day of undergraduate exams (dinner 12/20/11 for fall and dinner 5/23/12 for spring).
No meal plans will be accepted during Thanksgiving, Christmas, intersession, Easter or spring vacation breaks.
Note: Those who do not make changes to their meal plan during the fall semester will automatically have the same plan at the start of the spring semester.

May I purchase a Meal Plan for intersession or summer session?

You may have a Meal Plan account for fall and spring semesters. There are no Meal Plan accounts for intersession or for summer courses. You may use cash, CampusCash, Visa or MasterCard for purchasing food during these times.

Are there any restrictions on when or how I may use my meals?

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. Your meals will expire at the end of each semester on the last day of finals.

Meal Plan 'meals' may only be used at Pavilion Dining for "unlimited access" brunch (Saturday & Sunday) and dinner (Monday-Sunday).

A la carte prices will apply for breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday in Pavilion Dining. You may use Dining Dollars, CampusCash, cash, Visa or MasterCard to pay for a la carte items.

Do I have to have a Meal Plan?

Resident freshmen must have a Meal Plan. Those who do not pre-select a Meal Plan will have the Plus 105 assigned to their account. Freshmen may increase their plan at any time.

Petition to Request Board Only:

If you are a freshman resident and would like to petition to not have a Meal Plan, due to medical or other reasons, please complete the petition form and send to the Director of Dining Services before July 1, 2011.

What if I forget my Torero Card?

You must present your card every time you use the dining facilities. No exceptions.

A student's Torero Card, the official USD identification card, will be activated with the applicable Meal Plan information and will serve as the Meal Plan card.
The Meal Plan is for the exclusive use of the cardholder.
A Meal Plan may not be resold, assigned, transferred, or used by anyone else under any condition. Use by anyone else may result in a fine.

What happens if I lose my Torero Card?

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 $18.

If I need help or have any dining concerns, who do I contact ?

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. For Meal Plan questions please call Campus Card Services directly (619) 260-5999.

As a student, do I pay tax on food and beverage purchases?

If you show your official, valid, student ID Card to the cashier you will not be charged tax on food and beverage purchases. Your ID Card must designate you as a current USD student to take advantage of this savings.

Additional Campus Dining Policies

Students shall be responsible for complying with all applicable Dining Services policies, including but not limited to the following:

Theft in any dining area (of food, utensils, supplies or other university property) is strictly prohibited.
Attempting to enter dining facilities other than at designated points is prohibited.
Throwing of any object within a dining facility is prohibited.

Violation of an applicable Dining Services policy will result in appropriate disciplinary action in a manner consistent with the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities. Where the circumstances warrant, a student's dining privileges may be revoked when a Dining Services policy is violated. The student will not be entitled to a decrease or refund of any portion of the fee paid for the Meal Plan when the student's dining privileges are suspended or revoked.