Which meal plan is the best to get out of these 3? i dont eat soo much but i dont eat a little either
Block 200
• $2,572.50 per semester
• 200 meals per semester to be used in the Marketplace
• $300 declining balance dollars
• 5 Guest Meals
Block 175
• $2,572.50 per semester
• 175 meals per semester to be used in the Marketplace
• $350 declining balance dollars
• 4 Guest Meals
Block 150
• $2,572.50 per semester
• 150 meals per semester to be used in the Marketplace
• $400 declining balance dollars
• 3 Guest Meals
We always went with the Block 175. I see they changed things up again. The DCBs are used at SubConnection, Auntie Annes, Cosi, Panda Express and the Grille.
The one thing they don’t explain to you is that at the Marketplace (aka “The Caf”) they swipe that card when you enter, not at checkout. So you will get a meal swipe even if you just go in a grab a banana (IF they’re fresh or if any are still available). After a while you will avoid the Caf altogether and get the occasional SubConnection. Cosi is very slow and they get orders wrong.
At the end of the semester the meals expire but the DCB’s carryover to the Spring. Toward finals week in May, there’s the run to use up all the DCBs because they expire at the end of the semester. I brought home lots of Ben & Jerry’s and my daughter stocked up on snacks/water for summer session.
I hate how Fordham did away with using the DCBs at Applebee’s. My daughter and her friends loved that.
Our DS has one of the unlimited dining plans. I recommend unlimited for all on-campus students, and especially for athletes. The Caf (‘Marketplace’) is a major socializing area, and it requires a meal swipe to get in. Without unlimited, a student can’t access the Caf for snacks, beverages, a quick bite or to visit with friends without using a meal swipe from the limited Block plans. It also allows students to grab daily coffee-breaks/hydration breaks/between-class snacks.
The unlimited plans come with Declining Cash Balance ‘dollars’ – essentially a debit card - to be spent at any dining area on campus, and can be increased by adding $ to your account – so going with the lowest “Silver” plan is probably the best option. The rush in May to use up those left-over DCB dollars is widespread and wasteful.
The 2015-16 Dining Plan brochure isn’t out yet, but for 2014-15, you were allowed up to 3 ‘meal trades’ a day at select locations on campus (i.e. The Grille at O’Hare, Cosi, Simply To Go, …) so a student could eat at a location closer to classes/dorms while on the unlimited plan, or meet friends near their dorm for a late night study break.
A student’s level of involvement with other students has a close correlation to their success and happiness in college. Although the level of involvement is particular to each student, not being able to go have a late ‘second-dinner’, or midday meet-up limits the possibilities to make friends, and it gives students another reason to interact socially and ‘get out of their room’ for a break.