New Dining Plan "Frequently Asked Questions"

What is the new dining plan?
Where will I be able to use the new dining plan?
What dining options will be available in the University Center Marketplace (the new dining hall)?
What items and services will be available in Tiger's Grocery?
What are the times that I will be able to use my dining dollars?
How will I be able to control my spending on my dining plan?
Why is the University moving to a new dining plan?
Will there be an increased cost with the new meal plan?
What are the levels of meal plans?
What are Dining Dollars?
Who must be on a meal plan?
What minimum level meal plan must I be on if I live in the residence halls?
I live in an on-campus apartment. Why must I be on a meal plan?
Can I use my meal plan (Dining Dollars) at the bookstore, laundry machines, etc?
I have Pacific Cash? Will I be able to use it at the dining venues?
Will I be able to use credit cards at the dining venues?
I hear there will be beer and wine sold at The Lair (the pub). Will I be able to purchase these items with my meal plan?
What if I run out of Dining Dollars? Can I add more to my plan?
If I run out of Dining Dollars, why should I add more instead of purchasing Pacific Cash?
What current dining venues will be shut down as part of the new dining plan and the opening of the new University Center?
What will happen to all the dining venues that will close as part of the new dining plan and the opening of the University Center?
If I withdraw from the University and have a meal plan, will I be able to get a refund of my Dining Dollars?
Will I be able to use my Tiger Bucks next year?
If I have any remaining Dining Dollars at the end of the Fall semester, will I be able to "roll over" to the Spring semester?
Can I give my Dining Dollars to a friend?
I live in an on-campus Greek chapter house. Will I be required to be on a University meal plan?

What is the new dining plan?

This new plan is different from the current "all-you-care-to-eat" plan. Instead of having to eat plan meals based in the main dining hall during set hours, this plan will work like a debit card. The meal plan will be useable at any of the new eating venues in the University Center, the Davy's Café in the Library, the Health Sciences Café, and Tiger's Grocery. Each time a student makes a purchase at one of the many dining options throughout campus, the amount is deducted from the balance. A receipt will be provided with amount used and the remaining balance left on the account. You can also check your balance on-line at go.pacific.edu/pacificcard.

Where will I be able to use the new dining plan?

Students will be able to use their new meal plan account in a variety of dining locations through the new University Center including the Marketplace (our main dining hall), The Lair (the pub), the River Room (similar to the Redwood Room), and the Calaveras Coffee House. In addition, students will also be able to use their Dining Dollars at Davy’s Café (located in the Library), the Health Sciences Café (located in the Health Sciences Learning Center), and Tiger’s Grocery (located in the McCaffrey Center).

The Marketplace will feature a variety of stations to choose from including a Taqueria station focusing on meals from many countries in South America, a Classics station featuring home-style items and comfort foods, a Pacific Rim station offering specialties from throughout the Asian region, a Exhibition station focusing on grill menu options, and other menu options including such things as a salad bar, deli station, home-style soups, freshly baked desserts, and beverages. At least one vegetarian entrée is featured at each meal. Since this will be a "declining balance" plan, there is no flat fee to eat at the new Marketplace. All entrees and food items are priced individually.

What items and services will be available in Tiger's Grocery?

The Tiger's Grocery will be modified and expanded to provide a variety of items aimed towards the apartment students. This would include items such as detergent, household cleaning supplies, toiletries, as well as new "grab and go" food options such as fresh made salads, coffee, soups, sandwiches, and desserts.

What are the times that I will be to use my dining plan

The University designed the new plan with flexibility in mind. Students will have an on-campus dining venue option available from 7:30 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. the following day.

There are no limitations on when or where students can use their Dining Dollars and there are no regulations prohibiting the use of the Dining Dollars to purchase meals for other students or guests. Students will be able to "grab and go" with their purchases and are not limited to eating their meals in the location where it was purchased as required by the current plan.

How will I be able to control my spending on my dining plan?

Students will have control of their meal plan account and will be able to purchase their meals as they see fit. Of course, having control of the spending in the meal plan account comes with a level of responsibility in student spending behavior. Every purchase will come with a receipt showing an account balance. Students will be able to check their balance on-line athttp://go.pacific.edu/pacificcard In addition, Housing and Greek Life will weekly post signs at all registers informing students how many Dining Dollars they should have at that point to last for the remainder of the semester.

Why is the University moving to a new dining plan?

In an effort to meet student demand and needs, the University decided that it was time to create a new meal plan to coincide with the new dining hall. This meal plan was designed and created based on the feed back offered by students. The plan also was also benchmarked and is consistent with similar institutions throughout California.

Will there be an increased cost with the new meal plan?

Listed below are the Dining Dollar amount for each meal plan level.  Please note that these amount are for the dining dollars you will receive and not the cost of the meal plan.  For more information on the cost of the meal plan please refer to our rates.

What are the levels of meal plans?

What are Dining Dollars?

Dining Dollars are the dining points given to students when they enroll in a meal plan. These points may only be used at the University's on-campus dining venues and may not be used anywhere else on or off-campus. Dining Dollars are NOT United States currency but may be utilized to purchase items in the on-campus dining venues throughout campus.

Who must be on a meal plan?

All students living in University owned on-campus housing. This includes students living in all residence halls, apartments and suites. Students living in on-campus Greek chapter houses are not required to be on the University dining plan.

What minimum level meal plan must I be on if I live in the residence halls?

All students living in the residence halls must be on a minimum "Silver" level meal plan.

I live in an on-campus apartment. Why must I be on a meal plan?

After listening to the needs of students and benchmarking other colleges and universities, the University decided to develop a meal plan for the busy schedules of students in the apartments. This plan, which figures out to be less than $5.00 per day, is designed to a convenience for the students in the apartments. In addition to being able to use the meal plan at all the various dining locations around campus, the Convenience Store will be modified and expanded to provide a variety of items aimed towards the apartment students. This would include items such as detergent, household cleaning supplies, toiletries, as well as new "grab and go" food options such as fresh made salads, coffee, soups, sandwiches, and desserts.

Can I use my meal plan (Dining Dollars) at the bookstore, laundry machines, etc?

No. Students my only use their meal plan Dining Dollars at the University's dining venues around campus. Students may not use their meal plan at other areas.

I have Pacific Cash? Will I be able to use it at the dining venues?

Yes. Students may use Pacific Cash but will only receive a 3% discount on purchases in the dining venues and you must pay sales tax.

Will I be able to use credit cards at the dining venues?

Yes. You may use your credit card to purchase items in the dining venues but there is no discount.

I hear there will be beer and wine sold at The Lair (the pub). Will I be able to purchase these items with my meal plan?

Beer and wine will be sold in The Lair to those who are over 21 years of age. Students may purchase beer or wine with their Dining Dollars, unless there is a restriction on the individual meal plan.

What if I run out of Dining Dollars? Can I add more to my plan?

Yes. You may add more Dining Dollars to your account. You may sign-up for supplemental plans at the Housing and Greek Life office.

If I run out of Dining Dollars, why should I add more instead of purchasing Pacific Cash?

The benefit of purchasing additional Dining Dollars is that you will not pay sales tax on your purchases, as a result you will save 8% on all purchases using your dinging dollars at the many dining venues throughout campus (with Pacific Cash, you only receive a 3% discount). In addition, you will have the ability to bill your Student Account when you purchase Dining Dollars. With Pacific Cash, you do not have the ability to bill your Student Account.

What current dining venues will be shut down as part of the new dining plan and the opening of the new University Center?

The Quad Dining Hall, the Summit and the Redwood Room will all shut down at a certain point over the summer.

What will happen to all the dining venues that will close as part of the new dining plan and the opening of the University Center?

The University is currently reviewing all the spaces that will be made available with the new University Center and will be developing a plan soon.

If I withdraw from the University and have a meal plan, will I be able to get a refund of my Dining Dollars?

Since Dining Dollars are not United States currency, students will not receive a refund on their Dining Dollars. HOWEVER, students will receive a prorated refund on their housing and dining fee for the remainder of the semester based, in part, on plan usage. For more information, please read your Student Housing Contract.

Will I be able to use my Tiger Bucks next year?

The Tiger Bucks program will cease at the end of the 2008 Spring semester. Students will no longer receive Tiger Bucks as part of the new meal plan.

If I have any remaining Dining Dollars at the end of the Fall semester, will I be able to "roll over" to the Spring semester?

Students will have the ability to "roll over" only 100 Dining Dollars from the Fall to Spring semesters. Any amount over 100 Dining Dollars will be forfeited by the student. Student may NOT "roll over" Dining Dollars at the end of Spring semester to the Fall semester. Any Dining Dollars left over at the end of the Spring semester will be forfeited.

Can I give my Dining Dollars to a friend?

While you may certainly purchase items with your Dining Dollars for a friend, you may not transfer you Dining Dollars to another person.

I live in an on-campus Greek chapter house. Will I be required to be on a University meal plan?

For students living in a Greek chapter house, the meal plan the fraternity or sorority offers will not change. The chapter house will continue to be responsible for their meal plans. The University assumes no liability for meals or cash allowances provided by fraternities or sororities.