We have assembled a list of the most frequently asked questions.
Please remember, Ohio University Culinary Services is here to help you. If you have any questions contact us at 740-593-2970 or send an e-mail to dining@ohio.edu.You can also contact us on social media on Twitter and Facebook, look for OUDining.
What meal plans do you offer?
Culinary Services offers traditional and flex meal plans. Over 62% of our students choose a flex meal plan.
The Flex 20 and Flex 14 meal plans offer $125 in Flex Points in addition to 20 or 14 meals per week that can be used in any dining hall, grab n go, or market. Meals are worth $6.00 in the markets. The Flex Points are accepted at West 82, Front Room, Latitude 39, Café BiblioTech, all Dining Halls and all Grab n Go's. They are not accepted at Bobcat Essentials, any markets, in vending machines or laundry centers. All Flex Points will expire on the last day of the quarter. Additional Flex Points will not be available as students may purchase Bobcat Cash. Flex Points are non-refundable. We offer a traditional 20 and 14 meal plan which may be used in any of our four dining halls or the three Grab n Go's. Traditional meal plans allow one time access to our dining halls and grab n go's per meal period. See #11 for a list of the meal periods.
How do the meal plans work?
The meal plan week begins Sunday and ends at midnight on Saturday. Any unused meals left as of midnight on Saturday are lost and are not refundable.
Meal plans are priced with the assumption that students will not use all of their meals. Meals are only available for use by the cardholder. Students may increase their meal plan at anytime. Meal plans may be decreased up until the start of school.
Once the school year begins, students may not decrease their meal plan. All meal plan changes are made on line at the housing website www.ohio.edu/housing and clicking on the MyHousing link.
When does the meal plan begin?
All meal plans will begin with lunch on Thursday, September 2. Nelson and Boyd Dining Halls will be open all weekend and Jefferson Dining Hall will open beginning Sunday, September 5. On Labor Day September 6 all Dining Halls will be open. Parents are welcome to have a meal with their student. The Dining Hall price for lunch or dinner is $7.50 and breakfast is $7.00. Parents and students also have the option to dine at West 82 Food Court in Baker University Center by using their flex meal plan Flex Points, Bobcat Cash or cash.
What is the difference between a flex meal plan and a regular meal plan?
Flex meal plans may be used at Boyd, Jefferson, or Nelson Markets in addition to all dining halls and grab n go's. Each meal is worth $6.00 of product in the markets. The Flex meal plans have $125 in Flex Points which may be used at West 82, Latitude 39, Front Room, and Café Bibliotech. Students with Flex meal plans may bring guests with them to the dining hall.
What is the Destination Dining plan?
The Destination Dining Plan offers $300 in Flex Points for $275 and is open to any student who has met the residence requirement or students exempted from their housing and dining contracts living off campus, and any student already on a meal plan. The Destination Dining Plan is accepted at West 82, Front Room, Latitude 39, Café BiblioTech, all Dining Halls and all Grab n Go's. It will not be accepted at Bobcat Essentials, any markets, in vending machines or laundry centers. All Flex Points will expire on the last day of the quarter. Additional Flex Points will not be available as students may purchase Bobcat Cash. Flex Points are non-refundable.
Can students use their meal plan in Baker University Center?
The Flex and Destination Dining Plans may be used at West 82, Latitude 39, Café Bibliotech, and Front Room. If you do not have a Flex meal plan consider upgrading to a Flex or purchase a Destination Dining plan to supplement your traditional meal plan.
My student has a food allergy or special diet need. How do you accommodate this?
We provide meals for numerous special diets. Have your student contact Gail Washington 740-593-2948 (washingt@ohio.edu) and she will work with your student to make sure their needs are met. Please have your student bring a diet prescription from a physician or dietitian.
My student has class every day from 10-2pm. How will they get lunch?
We offer two options. One is see a manager in any dining hall and sign up for a sack lunch which can be picked up in the morning before his/her first class. Another option is to use any of the three Grab n Go's as they are all open after 2:00 p.m.
What can students get at the Grab 'N Go's?
My student has class from 4-8pm. How will they get dinner?
All meal plans have the following late night options: Shively Court is open until 8:30 p.m. Mon-Thu, Boyd Grab 'N Go is open until 9:00 p.m. Mon-Thu, Shively Grab n Go is open until 10:00 p.m. Mon-Thu, and Nelson Grab 'N Go is open until 11:30 p.m. Sun-Wed, 11:00 p.m. Thu, and 9:00 p.m. Fri & Sat. A student may opt to get a sack dinner from any dining hall.
What are the 34 meal periods?
Only one meal may be used during any of these time periods if holding the traditional 10, 14 and 20 meal plans. Flex 14 and Flex 20 meal plans may use more than one meal during any meal period.
What are the Block 20, Block 10 plus, and Flex Block 30 meal plans?
Block 20- Open to all students who have met the residence requirement or students exempted from their housing and dining contracts living off campus. The block plan is any 20 meals that may be used in any of our four dining halls and three Grab n Go’s. The 20 meals are valid from the first day of the quarter and expire on the last day of the quarter. Students and staff members may bring as many guests as they have meals.
Block 10 plus- Open to all students who have met the residence requirement or students exempted from their housing and dining contracts living off campus. This meal plan offers 10 meals per quarter in any dining hall or Grab 'N Go, plus $100 in Bobcat Cash. The 10 meals are valid from the first day of the quarter and expire on the last day of the quarter. Students and staff members may bring as many guests as they have meals. Any unused Bobcat Cash will carry over to the next quarter.
Flex Block 30- Students who have met the residence requirement or students exempted from their housing and dining contracts living off campus may purchase a Flex Block 30 meal plan. The Flex Block 30 meal plan is any 30 meals that may be used in any of our dining halls and Grab N' Go's (meals may not be used in the markets) plus 100 Flex Points. The 30 meals and 100 Points are valid from the first day of the quarter and expire on the last day of the quarter. Students and staff members may bring as many guests as they have meals. Flex points are accepted at West 82, Front Room, Latitude 39, Cafe BiblioTech, all Dining Halls and all Grab N' Go's. Flex points will not be accepted at Bobcat Essentials, markets, vending machines or laundry centers. One Flex point equals $1.00.
What food concepts are available at West 82 (Food Court) at Baker University Center?
The College Greens- Salad/Soup Bar
Fast Lane- Grab n Go Area
The Brick Oven- Pizza, calzones, and Italian
Ivy Deli- New York Style Deli
Verde Blanco- Southwest/Mexican similar to a Chipotle
McGuffey’s Grill- ½ lb Angus burgers, grilled chicken, veggie burgers
Jade- Indian Food, stir fry and noodle bowls
Latitude 39- Casual Dining Restaurant featuring prime grade aged steaks, pastas, and fresh seafood. More at: www.ohio.edu/39
The Front Room- Coffee house serving fair trade coffee and Starbucks coffee along with a fine assortment of baked goods. More at: www.ohio.edu/frontroom
Bobcat Essentials- Ohio University apparel, computer, and gift items. More at: www.ohio.edu/bobcatessentials
How do I change my meal plan?
What is Bobcat Cash?
Bobcat Cash is a pre-paid debit card — money you've put on account — that can be used at a variety of locations on campus.
Bobcat Cash is a way for students, faculty and staff to access products and services on campus without carrying cash.
You pre-pay a minimum balance of $50 and just use your university ID card in dining halls, convenience stores, vending machines, main laundry centers, and Baker University Center. You can add more money to your account as needed. Additional funds placed on the card will take between 1-2 business days to apply.
Unlike cash, Bobcat Cash can only be spent on limited things in limited places on campus — you'll be better able to see where your money is going. Bobcat Cash cannot be used at off-campus locations and does not allow cash withdraws. Bobcat Cash carries over quarter to quarter, year to year and is refundable at any time after a $20 service charge. Refer all questions to Culinary Services 593-2970, e-mail dining@ohio.edu.
