General Information on Policies & Procedures
Meal Plan Information
There is an old joke that accurately captures the "you can't please everyone" dilemma. Two disgruntled diners are commenting on a restaurant meal and one says to the other, "This food is terrible!" The other responds, "Yes, and the portions are too small." In contrast, Union students on the meal plan are generally very satisfied with the quality, selection and amount of food available.
All students living in campus housing are required to be on a meal plan; the meal plan is optional for all students living off campus or commuting. All Freshmen are required to be on the Freshmen 19 Plan for their first term, after which they may choose either the Freshman 15, Freshman 12 or Freshman 10 Plans. All meal plans can be changed during the first week of each term.
Types of Meal Plans:
- Freshmen 19 - Any 19 meals per week, includes $125 in declining balance.
- Freshman 15 - Any 15 meals per week, includes $200 in declining balance (after 1st Term).
- Freshman 12 - Any 12 meals per week, includes $235 in declining balance (after 1st Term).
- Upperclass 19 - Any 19 meals per week, includes $125 in declining balance.
- Upperclass 15 - Any 15 meals per week, includes $200 in declining balance.
- Upperclass 12 - Any 12 meals per week, includes $235 in declining balance.
- Upperclass 10 - Any 10 meals per week, includes $265 in declining balance.
- Upperclass 7 - Any 7 meals per week, includes $300 in declining balance.
- Upperclass 5 - Any 5 meals per week, includes $325 in declining balance.
- Upperclassmen living off campus automatically go on a Non-Resident plan which provides $200 in declining balance.
- All of the above meal plans may be used at any dining facility, the Bookstore's Convenience Store, or in the soda and snack vending machines.
The Upperclass 19, 15, 12, 10, 7 and 5 meal plans require that three meals be eaten in a resident dining hall; the remaining balance may be used as meal equivalencies in the Rathskellar. Freshmen will have 2 meal equivalencies starting with the second term.
Meal Equivalency
The Upperclass 19, 15, 12, 10, 7 and 5 meal plans require that at least three meals be eaten in a Resident Dining Hall. The remaining balance may be used as meal equivalencies in the Rathskellar, with the value based on the meal plan level. A meal from the 19 Meal Plan is worth $3.15, a meal from the 15 Meal Plan is worth $3.50, from 12 Meal Plan is worth $3.75 and a meal from the 10 Meal Plan is worth $4.00. Meals from the 7 mealplan are worth $5.00 and from the 5 are worth $5.50.
Replacing Lost Student ID Cards
The Campus Safety Office issues all meal cards and replacement cards. You must present you card to gain access to resident dining facilities, or to purchase items in our retail operations. You may also use the card to purchase items from numerous vending machines on campus. Never lend your card or leave it where it might be picked up and used by someone else. Protect yourself by taking care of your card as you would cash or credit cards, and reporting it's loss immediately to the Campus Safety Office. Your card, the services it entitles you to, and the food you receive from its use are non-transferable.
Changing Meal Plans
Any changes to the level of your meal plan must be made in the first week of the trimester. Please come to Room 202 in the Reamer Campus Center to fill out a mealplan contract.
Adding Cash to Declining Balance
You may increase the amount of money in your Declining Balance account at any time by simply stopping into our office, Reamer #202, and filling out a form. Your balance will carry over from the fall and winter to the spring term. However, all funds must be used by the end of June, or the balance will be forfeited.
Prepared to Order Meals
Fried Egg and Omelet station, Belgian Waffle Station, Grill, Deli, Carving Stations, and Demonstration Cooking give students greater variety at all meals. Some examples of Demonstration Cooking include: Smoked Chicken Pasta Pronto, Mongolian Beef Wok, Gourmet Caesar Salads, Vegetarian Wok Bar, and Shrimp Fajita Bars. Through these formats, students and Dining Service associates interact face-to-face daily. Customers receive personal attention and witness the skill, quality, and effort that go into preparing their meals. Comments, concerns and criticisms are often handled immediately through verbal communication at the point of service.
Vegetarian Menus, Nutrition and Special Diets
The vegetarian program focuses on lighter, well balanced options. Vegetarian menus and recipes are developed with the same care that goes into the rest of the program. Vegetarian entrees are available at every meal, and the menu features vegetarian specials at the grill, deli, and demonstration cooking stations. A Fresh Fruit Bar, Health and Wellness Bar, and Extended Salad Bar provide additional options for diners. Descriptive menu signage, including nutritional information, assists students to easily select Wellness combinations at each meal. A Wellness Information center, and a visiting Registered Dietitian helps students to gain knowledge, plan, and make healthy dining decisions. Special diets of any kind can be accomodated at the Dining Halls.
Culinary Diversity
Standard menus provide ethnic options to meet the needs of today's more diverse student population. In addition to adding favorite ethnic dishes to the main entries, Theme meals at least once a week, showcase the cuisine of individual cultures. Some theme meals include: Italian Night, Latino Heritage Night, Oktoberfest, Asian Theme Lunch, Mexican Night, Mediterranean Lunch, Indian Night, and Greek Theme Lunch. Twice a year, Culinary Exposès combine fine dining with cultural performances. With the assistance of the student organizations, local chefs and performers come together to celebrate cultural awareness with the Union College community. During Passover, tables of appropriate foods with explanations and descriptions of Passover traditions encourage all students to sample and learn.
Special Events
Once a month, Special meals and Holiday dinners add to the menu dynamics at Union. Music, table linens and gourmet menus provide students with chances to relax and celebrate. In addition, West Dining Hall presents three special theme meals during winter term each year that emphasize a change in atmosphere as well as food. For example, West Dining Hall transformed into a 50's style Drive In, complete with classic cars, window speakers, and "B" movies of Loony Tunes and The Three Stooges. Other special winter themes include Mardi Gras, Live Band Night, Beach Party, and Monster Movie Night.