Cougar Dining Meal Plans

Plan Details

Both Plan A and Plan B mandatory meal plans are 60/40 plans. Approximately 60% of the meal plan covers some of the operation cost of Dining Services (labor, supplies, maintenance, utilities, etc.).

The remaining 40% (Dining Dollars) of the meal plan balance is available to spend for food purchases at campus dining venues. Whenever mandatory meal plan participants purchase made-to-order items, the items are charged at 40% of the retail cost.

An example of the 40% retail cost
for a made-to-order meal is the following:

Retail Price	Meal Plan Price
$6.00	$2.40

Any (Dining Dollar) balance left on the meal plan at the end of the fall semester rolls over to the spring semester for use. Any balance remaining at the end of the spring semester is refunded to the student provided there is no outstanding balance on the student's university account.

Convenience Food Purchases
Using the Mandatory Meal Plan

Students can choose to use their meal plan to purchase convenience items (multi-pack bottle & can beverages, boxed dinners, candy bars, aspirin, dish soap, etc.) from Union Station and Commons Grill at 100% the retail cost. Non-food gift items (coffee mugs, coffee makers, stuffed animals, Easter baskets, etc.) cannot be purchased using meal plan Dining Dollars.

All food and beverage purchases (including bottled beverages, ice cream and convenience packaged foods) in Center Court are charged at 40%. Bottled and canned beverages, whole bean coffee, pre-packaged food items in Starbucks Coffee are charged at 40% the retail cost, along with all made-to-order items. These are the only exceptions to the convenience purchase rule.

Residents who live in the apartments at Cougar Village can purchase the Cougar Village Voluntary Meal Plan. The plan can be purchased in $100, $250, $500 dollar amounts. The voluntary meal plan is available for made-to-order and convenience item purchases (multi-pack bottle & canned beverages, boxed dinners, aspirin, dish soap, etc.) only. Non-food gift items cannot be purchased on any Cougar Dining meal plan. Purchases on the voluntary meal plan are charged at 100% the retail price and can be used at all the campus dining venues. All users of the Cougar Village Voluntary Meal Plan do not incur sales tax on purchases. Students participating in this option can add money in $100 increments at the Central Housing Office, which is located in Rendleman Hall. This can be done at any time during the semester.

The staff at Dining Services aims to provide a plentiful array of healthy food choices and works to improve the healthiness of items by using cholesterol-free vegetable oils. An appealing selection of low fat / low cholesterol / low carbohydrates / high fiber foods and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables are always available. Students can do a nutrition analysis on the computer located by the entrance to Center Court. Information regarding healthier / healthiest options about menu items are posted. Anyone needing assistance with special dietary needs can contact the Dining Services Department at (618) 650-3040 for help with meal planning or specialty food procurement.

Dining Services has installed bins for paper, plastic and empty aluminum cans. Cardboard and other items are also recycled. Special beverage mugs are available for reduced price refills. So pitch in and help the environment.

Dining Services is always striving to improve its services and offerings. Feedback from customers is the best ingredient in this recipe. Napkin suggestion boards are located in the dining areas of all dining venues.

Mandatory Meal Plan	Cougar Village Voluntary Meal Plan	Benefits of the Plan	Recycling Program
Convenience Food Purchases	Campus Dining Venues	Eat Well, Be Healthy	Contact Us