So after all my research on the dining plan I had decided on the 350 plan for my son. Now I see they have completely changed the plan for next year. Since it is brand new and based on weekly I’m guessing no one else knows much about it either but just thought I would ask if anyone has any insight into the new categories?
@bhs1978 – my comments are based on my older son’s parallel option at his huge state school elsewhere. The dining dollars allow kids to spend money in all the options EXCEPT the fixed price traditional halls (it says there are 3 on campus), and the BuckID allows them to spend at a higher rate on campus or at all the off-campus places that take the card. Basically the BuckID works as a parent-funded debit card for off campus. I would say that the decision should be based on how your child eats – okay with all-you-can-eat dorm dining hall (and for how many meals a week) vs. more flexibility at a higher rate. If my son decides to go to OSU (he’s narrowed it down to 2 schools at this time), then we would likely go with the 5 or 10 plan, on the assumption that he would eat more often in the non-traditions option. My older son hated his dorm dining food and had a balance after freshman year, but I kept reloading the other options. The other unknown is where your child willl live, as it might impact the traditions options. At least there is flexibility to change the plan early each semester. And, the dining dollars and BuckID can be added to at any time.